. 



v . s 



rid. 



PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK 



THE CHURCH. 



FOR THE USE OF MEMBERS, DEACONS, ELDERS, AND 
MINISTERS. 



BY 

REV. JOEL PARKER, D.D,, 

AND 

REV. T. RALSTON SMITH. 




NEW YORK: 

HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 

FEANKLIN SQUARE. 

1861. 

■ 






/ 






f ?-:■ y 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight 
hundred and sixty-one, by 

HARPER & BROTHERS, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of 
New York. 



PREFACE. 



In preparing this Manual, we have attempt- 
ed to meet a want in the Presbyterian Church 
which we have often felt ourselves. 

Our Confession of Faith and Form of Gov- 
ernment are very complete, and answer admi- 
rably the purpose for which they were intend- 
ed. But we need something to guide private 
Christians in their relations to the Church of 
their choice, to make them better acquainted 
with our ecclesiastical system, and to assist 
them in their devotions and the Christian train- 
ing of their households. 

The deacons and elders, also, may be glad to 
have such information as they require placed 
before them in a readable form ; while our min- 
istry, especially the younger portion of it, need 
hints and aids in the performance of their offi- 
cial duties. These wants we have endeavored 
to supply by a volume that shall be so concise 
and cheap as to bring it within the reach of 
A 



11 PREFACE. 

private members, and in a form so portable as 
to render it a convenient Hand-book of the 
Church. 

The catholic spirit of the Presbyterian Church, 
in acknowledging all evangelical denominations 
as true Christian churches, has led us as a peo- 
ple to care too little for our own peculiar or- 
ganization. Within a few years, however, a 
salutary reaction has been experienced, and we 
are fast learning that the broadest Christian 
charity is perfectly consistent with zeal in be- 
half of our own Church, for the very reason 
that the enlargement of its influence tends to 
diffuse the same catholic and charitable princi- 
ples among those denominations which do not 
profess any such unexclusiveness. 

If the heads of families are incited to Chris- 
tian fidelity by the hints given in the chapter 
devoted to the duties of parents, and by the 
forms of instruction thus kept before them, and 
if the timid and diffident are encouraged to es- 
tablish the family altar where it would not have 
been set up but for such assistance as is found 
in the forms of prayer furnished for this pur- 
pose, our labor will not have been in vain. 

We have especially aimed to furnish, in a 
short compass, valuable assistance to parents, 
Sunday-school teachers, and ministers, for cat- 



PREFACE. Ill 

echising the young. The Initiatory Catechism, 
by passing over the ground of the Assembly's 
Shorter Catechism, and breaking its larger prop- 
ositions into small fragments, will enable young 
children to acquire a general idea of the whole 
system of Christian truth before undertaking 
the severer task of committing to memory those 
more abstract statements which, once deeply 
imbedded in the mind, furnish valuable food for 
reflection in maturer years. The third part of 
the Initiatory Catechism we deem of great con- 
sequence, because it meets a want which our 
Church has strangely neglected to provide for. 
These, with the brief Catechism of Biblical 
Chronology, are sufficient to initiate our chil- 
dren into a thorough course of religious instruc- 
tion. 

We think the article on congregational libra- 
ries will commend itself to ministers and peo- 
ple, and we can not but hope that it will pro- 
duce practical results. 

The list of books for students has been pre- 
pared with great care, and will be valuable to 
those who are compelled by their circumstan- 
ces to begin with a very small library. 

In the forms for celebrating marriage, for one 
of which we are indebted to the kindness of 
Eev. Dr. Adams, we have not sought any far- 



IV PREFACE. 

ther variety than suffices to illustrate the only 
important distinction in the methods common- 
ly employed in this service. The form ascribed 
to Dr. Worcester has been long in the posses- 
sion of individuals, and it is believed that both 
will be highly approved for their brevity and 
good taste. Provision is made for the intro- 
duction of the wedding-ring, because its use is 
growing so rapidly as to promise to become 
universal. 

In the form for the reception of members, we 
have purposely avoided a large doctrinal state- 
ment, since our Presbyterian Church does not 
seek to secure the orthodoxy of her private 
members by an extensive creed. This end she 
aims to attain by guarding the avenues to offi- 
cial positions, and thus securing sound doctrine 
in the teaching of the pulpit and of the elder- 
ship. Our theory is, that orthodox teaching 
secures an orthodox Church, and it is unrea- 
sonable to demand of neophytes any thing more 
than a satisfactory evidence of true piety, and 
such a disposition to receive the truth as is im- 
plied in their preference for Presbyterian in- 
struction. 

We attach particular importance to the dis- 
tinction made in the form of reception between 
baptized members, who are supposed to have 



PREFACE. V 

been educated in the Church from their infan- 
cy, and those who have been introduced from 
the world. 

Perhaps there is no one thing in which this 
Manual is more likely to invite criticism than 
in what some may consider an apparent lean- 
ing to a precomposed Liturgy. Far from dep- 
recating a jealous watchfulness over our free- 
dom to offer extemporaneous prayers, we frank- 
ly concede that precomposed forms are to be 
used sparingly ; and we think our recommend- 
ation does not exceed the instruction of our 
standards, which use this language on the sub- 
ject of public prayer: "Although we do not 
approve, as is well known, of confining minis- 
ters to set or fixed forms of prayer for public 
worship, yet it is the indispensable duty of ev- 
ery minister, previously to his entering on his 
office, to prepare and qualify himself for this 
part of his duty, as well as for preaching. He 
ought, by a thorough acquaintance with the 
Holy Scriptures, by reading the best writers 
on the subject, by meditation, and by a life of 
communion with God in secret, to endeavor to 
acquire both the spirit and the gift of prayer." 

In stating general principles on this whole 
subject of conducting public services, our Di- 
rectory of Worship is sufficiently full and clear. 



VI PREFACE. 

It is not the object of this book to discuss these 
principles, or in any way to supplant the use 
of the Directory, but rather, in conformity with 
its suggestions, to furnish those practical forms 
which shall commend themselves, by their con- 
venience and appropriateness, to the approval 
of our pastors. 



CONTENTS. 



PART L 

THE CHURCH. 

CHAP. PAGE 

I. Presbyterianism 9 

II. The Planting of Churches 27 

III. Duties of Church Members 36 

IV. Duties and Kesponsibilities of Parents 52 

PART II. 

THE MINISTRY. 

I. Duties and Responsibilities of Deacons 115 

II. Duties and Responsibilities of Elders 117 

III. Duties of Bishops or Pastors 135 

PART m. 

SERVICES OF THE CHURCH. 

I. Public Worship on the Lord's Day 167 

II. The Sacraments 183 

III. Services in the celebration of Marriage 206 

IV. Services at Funerals 212 



THE 



PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK, 



PART I. 
THE CHURCH. 

CHAPTER I. 

PRESBYTERIANISM. 

Every Presbyterian ought to have good 
reasons for preferring the particular ecclesias- 
tical organization with which he has chosen to 
connect himself. God and his Church are the 
two things which are of highest consequence 
to Christians. The most important object of 
contemplation in heaven is God. The object 
most worthy* of our regard on earth is the 
Church. Our first attention is due to our Cre- 
ator and Redeemer. Next to him, the Church, 
"the bride, the Lamb's wife," is secondary to 
nothing. 



10 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Presbyterianism preferred. 

But what is the Church? To this it may- 
be answered generally and briefly, that 

The Church is a divinely-constituted social or- 
ganization emhracing all Christians. 

But the term Christians, like the word 
Church, possesses more than one signification. 
We sometimes mean by it those who are truly 
pious, and sometimes include in the designa- 
tion all that are nominally such. So we speak 
of the invisible Church as comprising those, 
and those only, who are united to their Saviour 
and to one another by a genuine piety. We 
also speak of the visible Church including the 
whole body of professed Christians of every 
denomination. This last-named body, in an 
important sense one, may be contemplated in 
separate portions, distinguished by geograph- 
ical localities, by varieties of ecclesiastical ar- 
rangements, and diversified shades of faith and 
modes of worship. 

That portion of the Church catholic or uni- 
versal which has commanded our preference 
is, for the sake of a convenient distinction, de- 
nominated "the Presbyterian Church in the 
United States of America." 

The Presbyterian Church is preferred for 
reasons found in its distinctive character. It 



THE CHURCH. 11 



Scriptural. Liberal. 

is true that some of its features belong equally 
to all churches which hold evangelical doc- 
trines ; a still greater portion belongs to such 
as maintain the parity of the clergy, and a 
greater resemblance still exists between our- 
selves and our Congregational brethren, and 
other organizations strictly Presbyterian. 

REASONS FOR PREFERRING THE PRESBYTE- 
RIAN CHURCH. 

I. The Scriptural and Liberal Character of its 
* Government 

The elements of which this is composed are 
the clergy and the ruling elders, chosen by the 
people. Of the clergy we maintain that they 
are all equal, and that their authority is de- 
rived from Christ himself. We agree with 
Archbishop Whately that " the sacramental 
virtue" (a thing, the existence of which we 
deny), even if it were transmitted from apos- 
tolic hands, and through them to their success- 
ors, can not be shown to have had an unbro- 
ken descent down to our times. Yet there has 
doubtless been a succession of an order of men 
denominated Christian ministers, each genera- 
tion of which has been approved by the gener- 



12 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Ministry. • 

ation immediately preceding them, and in this 
way the ministry may be traced back, as the 
Church itself can be, to the immediate disciples 
of our Lord. But the authority of the minis- 
try is derived directly from Christ. The Chris- 
tian minister is called of God to his work. 
When the Spirit has called a man to this holy 
office, the Church echoes the voice of her Lord. 
"The Spirit and the bride say come." The 
candidate presents himself, and the ministry, 
or the Presbytery, which, by its plurality, rep- 
resents the whole body, ordains him and re- 
ceives him into their number and fellowship. 
This " laying on of the hands of the Presby- 
tery" conveys no mysterious influence. The 
Presbyterian Church does not believe in a sac- 
ramental grace conveyed by a sacred rite. On 
the contrary, it maintains that such observ- 
ances are only appointed symbols designed to 
express in a striking and effective manner an 
important truth, and that just as baptism ex- 
presses a reliance upon the sanctifying Spirit 
as the cleansing power that washes the soul 
from its pollutions, so the imposition of the 
hands of the Presbytery upon the head of him 
whom they receive as called to the sacred of- 
fice designates their trust in that anointing of 



THE CHUKCH. 13 



Clergy. Elders. 

the Spirit which must call and qualify the true 
minister. It is, also, a public recognizing of 
the individual before the whole Church in his 
ministerial office. 

Consistently with these views, the perfect 
parity of the clergy is maintained. If one 
minister possesses more influence than anoth- 
er, it is only as one private member of the 
Church exercises a more distinguished influ- 
ence than some of his brethren. It is because 
he possesses a greater degree of learning or 
more distinguished gifts, or a heavenlier piety. 
We hold that in the ministry we have but one 
master, that Christ is our chief Bishop, and 
"all we are brethren." The ministry thus con- 
stituted is the primary element in the govern- 
ment of our Church. 

Another element is that of ruling elders, 
appointed by the people. In enumerating the 
several denominations of persons in the Church 
on whom its edification depends, the Apostle 
Paul names, as distinct from various classes of 
teachers by him specified, one which he calls 
H governments."* In another place he speaks 
of elders who " rule" without " laboring in word 
and doctrine."f These officers we denominate 
ruling elders. 
* 1 Cor, } xii., 28. t 1 Tim., v., 17. 



14 THE PRESBYTEKIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Church Session. „ 

It is evident that the object of these offi- 
cers was the spiritual edification of the people. 
u They were intended to instruct them in the 
knowledge of divine truth, to inspire them with 
pure principles and spiritual affections, to form 
their individual and social habits to practical 
holiness and moral order ; in one word, to ren- 
der them meet for the inheritance of the saints 
in light,"* 

While such is the object of the ministry and 
eldership, the pastor or bishop of the congrega- 
tion, and the elders who have been elected by 
the people and solemnly set apart to the office, 
constitute together the primary court of the 
Church. Of this court the pastor is moderator 
or president, and one of the elders is appointed 
clerk. The body thus constituted, and denom- 
inated the Church Session, is charged with the 
duty of providing for the instruction of the con- 
gregation, the religious training of the young, 
and the discipline of erring members. It is 
governed in its action by a code of laws adopt- 
ed by the whole Church, and is required to 
keep a written record of its proceedings, which 
record is subject to the review and control of a 
superior court. It has power to admit mem- 

* Dr. Miller. 



THE CHURCH. 



Higher courts. 



bers to sealing ordinances, to exculpate and 
protect those who are unjustly accused, to ad- 
monish such as may be reasonably expected to 
be reclaimed by gentle means, to suspend from 
the communion of the Lord's Supper gross of- 
fenders, and to sever the incorrigible from their 
connection with the Church. 

Every trial is required to be open and pub- 
lic, and the parties interested are entitled to a 
copy of the record at their request, without 
charge, save only the expense of transcribing. 
To guard against the consequences of error in 
the Session, the right of appeal or of complaint 
to the Presbytery is secured by the Constitution. • 

The Presbytery is constituted by the bishops 
of several associated churches and one ruling 
elder from each. Before this court a bishop 
or minister may be arraigned, and any accused 
person, after having passed through his trial in 
the court below, may claim the right of a new 
hearing on an appeal from the Session. 

The Synod is a union of several Presbyte- 
ries, and is, in effect, a large Presbytery, and a 
court of appeal from the individual Presbyte- 
ries comprised in it. 

The General Assembly is differently consti- 
tuted. It is a representative body, composed of 



16 THE PRESBYTEKIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Ministerial parity. 

delegates or " commissioners" appointed by the 
Presbyteries. This is the highest court in the 
Church. It may devise means according to its 
wisdom, only within the prescribed limits of 
the Constitution, for promoting the interests of 
the whole Church, exercise a review and con- 
trol over the synodical records, and issue finally 
all complaints or appeals from the courts below. 
It is not pretended that there is an apostol- 
ical warrant for these four courts constituted 
in this exact form, but that the principles in- 
volved in this organization are all found in the 
primordial Church, as described incidentally in 
the New Testament. The parity of Christian 
ministers is there plainly asserted. Bishops 
and elders, or presbyters, are acknowledged by 
all scholars to be the same.' 55 ' The same per- 
sons are in different places called by each of 
these names. There were elders that ruled 
well who did not labor as preachers. The 
churches, consisting of different congregations, 
acted in unison, and assemblies representing 

* "The name ' bishop,' which now [as used in the Epis- 
copal Church] designates the highest grade in the ministry, 
is not appropriated to that office in Scripture. That name 
is given to the middle office, or presbyters." — Bishop Onder- 
donfcs Tract, p. 12. 



THE CHURCH. 17 



Presbyterianism catholic. 



the whole were convened to concert measures 
for promoting the general good. 

Such a government is eminently popular 
and liberal. No man can be tried but by his 
peers. If prejudice has unfortunately been per- 
mitted to exercise sway, the injured party can 
remove the cause to a higher and an impartial 
tribunal. No great interest can be sacrificed 
by the tyranny of an individual raised high in 
office above his brethren. The dangers of ec- 
clesiastical ambition are diminished by the rep- 
resentation of the people in the eldership. 

Thus the Presbyterian Church possesses more 
analogies with our excellent confederated re- 
public than can be found elsewhere, and moves 
on with our political goverment pari passu, 
two free federative republics, one spiritual, the 
other temporal, neither infringing on the rights 
or curtailing the privileges of the other. 

II. The Presbyterian Church is pre-eminently 

Catholic and Unexclusive. 
It is distinguished for the freedom and cor- 
diality with which it co-operates with other 
churches in objects of general Christian benev- 
olence. Nor do we ever exclude those of other 
evangelical churches from the privileges of our 
B 



18 the Presbyterian's haistd-book. 

Unexclusive. 

own members and ministers. While several of 
these churches decline giving letters of dismis- 
sion from their communion to ours, we make 
no difference. "We dismiss one of our members 
to a Baptist, Episcopal, or Methodist Church in 
precisely the same form and with the same af- 
fectionate confidence as though we were dis- 
missing him to one of our own denomination. 
So, when we receive a member from another 
denomination, we never rebaptize him, nor, 
when we receive a minister, do we reordain 
him. On the contrary, we practically acknowl- 
edge the ordinances of all evangelical churches 
as equally valid as if they had been performed 
by ourselves. 

These statements ought not to be considered 
invidious. If we bear with our brethren while 
they will not allow that we are a Church of 
Christ, or while they deny the validity of our 
ministry, we may, without offense, glory in the 
distinction of being free to say that we cor- 
dially acknowledge them as true churches of 
our common Master, and their ministry as be- 
ing equally valid writh our own. We value 
our Church as being a great catholic organiza- 
tion, operating powerfully to restore the Church 
of Christ Ho its proper oneness. We do not, 



THE CHURCH. 19 



Simplicity of worship. 



indeed, imagine that the Church is to be 
brought back to its perfect visible unity by 
all others coming to us and being absorbed 
into the Presbyterian body, but we most de- 
voutly trust that every Church of Christ will 
come to enjoy that unexclusive and catho- 
lic spirit with which God has blessed our be- 
loved Church, and that then the attrition of 
the various denominations produced by their 
frequent contact will wear away the repulsive 
asperities which now exist, and all will grow 
into one holy catholic communion. Then, a 
kind spirit, and mutual counsel, and fervent 
prayer, will remove unimportant differences 
and magnify important resemblances, till the 
Church, composed of various elements, shall be 
like a richly-cultivated language, formed by a 
combination of numerous tongues, each one of 
which has contributed something to the mag- 
nificent result. 

III. The Presbyterian Church is characterized by 
the Simplicity of its Worship. 
The public worship of God in the Presbyte- 
rian Church is not conducted by a prescribed 
liturgy. It can not be supposed that Paul 
knelt down on the shore, when he parted with 



20 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Non-liturgicaL 

his friends at Tyre, and read a prayer from 
a book, or that Paul and Silas used a pre- 
scribed form when they prayed at midnight 
in the prison at Philippi. H The Lord's Pray- 
er" forms no objection to our usage, because it 
is not given in the same words by the different 
Evangelists, as it doubtless would have been 
had it been intended as a prescribed form. 
Besides, it contains no clause asking for bless- 
ings in the name of Christ, which our Saviour 
himself solemnly enjoined upon his Church 
before he withdrew his personal presence. In 
the subsequent inspired history we find no al- 
lusion to this form of prayer, nor any reference 
to either the saying or reading of prayers, both 
of which modes of expression are natural for 
those who employ precomposed forms. Soc- 
rates and Sozomen, respectable ecclesiastical 
writers of the fifth century, both declare that, 
in their day, "no two persons were found to 
use the same words in public worship." And 
Augustine, who was nearly their contemporary, 
says in relation to this subject, "There is free- 
dom to use different words, provided the same 
things are mentioned in prayer." 

In forming the "Directory of Public "Wor- 
ship," our Church regards the Holy Scriptures 



THE CHURCH. 21 



Its teaching. 



as the only safe guide ; therefore she does no 
more than to recommend a judicious arrange- 
ment of the several parts of the public service, 
throwing upon the pastor the responsibility of 
preparing himself for a proper and edifying 
performance of those acts of worship which 
shall be suited to the ever-changing wants of 
the congregation. We love the freedom of our 
worship, according to which a sudden calamity 
occurring at the very hour of service can be 
improved by appropriate allusions, and the sen- 
timents awakened by any particular strain of 
instruction may be suitably directed. 

IV. The Presbyterian Church is distinguished by 
the high Character of its Teaching. 

Under this statement may be comprised the 
doctrines taught, and the style and proportion 
of its religious inculcations. 

"We believe that instruction is the great in- 
strument of Christianity. Our Saviour is the 
light of the world, and men are sanctified 
through the truth. "We believe that worship 
and a due cultivation of the religious sensibili- 
ties are vastly important, but that just concep- 
tions of the plan of salvation and a clear view 
of the principles by which men ought to be 



22 the pkesbytekian's hand-book. 

Educated ministry. 

governed are of primary consequence, as indis- 
pensable to securing a right quality of worship 
and real acceptance with God. 

Hence we aim at securing the most thorough 
education of the Christian ministry. There is 
not a more thoughtful and manly class of writ- 
ers — writers that think more profoundly and 
discuss great questions more earnestly, than 
the pastors of our Church. We are accused 
of being too intellectual, and of neglecting too 
much appeals to the feelings of our congrega- 
tions. It may be that we are chargeable with 
neglect. Certain it is that we do not possess 
the warmth which such a cause and such a 
Master may properly demand. But, still, we 
claim that an increase of devotional sentiment 
ought not to detract in the least from the acu- 
men employed in our discriminations or the 
earnestness of our discussions. One great rea- 
son for the superior success of the Presbyterian 
clergy is because their sermons are thoroughly 
elaborated, and lay hold of the popular mind 
with a manly vigor. If we do not appeal with 
sufficient warmth to the feelings of our people, 
the remedy is not to teach less clearly and earn- 
estly. A more suitable exhortation for us is 
that of our Saviour, " These things ought ye to 



THE CHURCH. 23 



Its docrtines. 



have done, and not to leave the other un- 
done." 

But we must refer also to the nature as well 
as to the mode of our teachings. 

The doctrines of the Presbyterian Church 
are Calvinistic. They are so called, not because 
Calvin invented them. They were the doc- 
trines of all the leading reformers ; of the Wal- 
denses for five or six hundred years before the 
Eeformation ; of Augustine and the primitive 
Church, and especially are they distinctly ex- 
hibited in the Word of God. This system of 
doctrine is clearly set forth in the "Westminster 
Confession of Faith, and the larger and shorter 
Catechisms. 

Without pretending to expound fully the 
great principles more amply unfolded in the 
standards of the Church, we may say, briefly, 
that the Presbyterian Church maintains that, 
since the fall of Adam, and in consequence of 
his lapse, all men are naturally destitute of 
holiness, alienated entirely from God, and just- 
ly subject to his eternal displeasure. The plan 
of man's recovery from this state is, from first 
to last, a system of unmerited grace. The me- 
diation of Jesus Christ, including his instruc- 
tions, his example, his sacrifice on the cross, 



24 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Its doctrines. 

his resurrection, ascension, and intercession, are 
the means of bringing men back to God. Yet 
these means would be without efficacy if there 
were not revealed to man a gratuitous justifica- 
tion through the merit of our Saviour's sacri- 
fice, and if the Holy Spirit did not by his own 
invisible agency cause sinners to accept a free 
pardon and salvation. Hence not only are the 
provisions of mercy gratuitous, but the disposi- 
tion to accept these provisions is produced by 
a sovereign interposition of the divine Spirit. 

It is evident, from Scripture and from daily 
observation, that all are not saved, and, conse- 
quently, that it was not the original purpose of 
Him who never changes his plans of operation 
to bring all to repentance and faith in the Ee- 
deemer. " Known unto God are all his works 
from the beginning of the world." " All the 
dispensations of his grace, as well as of his 
providence, and, among the rest, the effectual 
calling and salvation of every believer, entered 
into his plan from all eternity." " Yet, so as 
that thereby neither is God the author of sin, 
nor is violence offered to the will of the crea- 
tures, nor is the liberty or contingency of sec- 
ond causes taken away, but rather established." 
It is undeniable that these views may be per- 



THE CHURCH. 25 



Those of the Reformers. 



verted, and misrepresented, and rendered odious 
by drawing inferences from them which Pres- 
byterians do not allow. For such perversions 
of its creed no church is responsible. If we 
might refer to a single argument in which the 
distinguishing peculiarities of the doctrines of 
our Church are most triumphantly maintained, 
it should be that masterly homily of the Apos- 
tle Paul, or rather of the Holy Spirit speaking 
by him in his Epistle to the Eomans. 

Whatever odium has been cast upon the 
Presbyterian Church for holding Calvinistic 
doctrines, it ought to be remembered that the 
honor of bearing it does not belong to them 
alone. It belongs to all the Eeformers, to the 
symbols of "the Synod of Dort," "the Heidel- 
berg Confession and Catechism," and the " Thir- 
ty-nine Articles" of the Established Church of 
England, and of the Episcopal Church in this 
country. If the English Church has fallen into 
such a state that the Earl of Chatham was jus- 
tified in saying, "We have a popish liturgy, 
a Calvinistic creed, and an Arminian clergy," 
and if the churches on the Continent of Europe 
have sunk to a lower condition because a vig- 
orous dissent has not infused a little spiritual 
life into the establishments, surely our Pres- 



26 THE Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Their effect. 

byterian Church is not worthy of very severe 
censure for keeping alive, at the same time, the 
doctrines of Calvinism and the spirit of piety. 

These reasons for exercising a decided pref- 
erence for the Presbyterian Church are equally 
reasons why every member should make him- 
self acquainted with its character, and with all 
his duties as connected with it 



THE CHUKCH. 27 



Co-operation. 



CHAPTER IL 

the planting of chueches. 

1. The Gathering- of Congregations. 

Scarcely any great object of a practical char- 
acter is achieved by human effort that does not 
depend on the co-operation of numbers. An 
individual can accomplish little, while a small 
number, united by a simple organization and 
moved by the same spirit, may achieve surpris- 
ing results. 

In the gathering of a congregation it is often 
expedient to commence with a slight bond of 
union. An agreement of two or three families 
to meet statedly for worship on the Lord's 
day may constitute the primordial nucleus. A 
Sunday-school that shall demand the systemat- 
ic exertions of a few persons will add to the 
strength and form of the organization ; and the 
procurement of the ministration of the Gospel, 
though it be at intervals of several weeks, will 
farther advance the same end. 

While the numbers are very small and the 



28 THE Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Incipient form. 

population is increasing in a given locality, it 
may be well to defer legally constituting a con- 
gregation until such numbers are gathered and 
such persons are connected with the movement 
as will render a suitable selection of trustees 
possible. In the mean time, an incipient or- 
ganization may be rendered highly useful in 
promoting that social harmony and that habit 
of co-operation which will prepare the way for 
a vigorous commencement of the congrega- 
tion's existence in its legalized form. 

To further these ends, an instrument may be 
drawn up and subscribed by as many persons 
as can be induced to unite for the purpose, in 
something like the following 

Form. 
Whereas we whose names are undersigned 
believe that the public worship of Almighty 
God is a solemn duty, and is adapted to pro- 
mote the intelligence, the morality, good order, 
and consequent prosperity and happiness of 
any community, as well as to advance the in- 
terests of true religion ; and whereas great so- 
cial advantages are to be secured only by com- 
bined effort, we do therefore agree and bind 
ourselves together to assist each other in secur- 



THE CHURCH. 29 



Source of harmony. 



ing the stated administration of the Gospel, and 
in forming a Presbyterian Church and congre- 
gation at as early a day as practicable. 
Signed, A. B. 



M. K, &o. 



Dated, , 18—. 



In a new or sparsely settled neighborhood 
it may often be expedient to attach the signa- 
tures of females as well as males to this instru- 
ment. Indeed, we know it sometimes happens 
that nearly all the incipient movements in giv- 
ing origin to a Church are made by pious wom- 
en. When such an organization is formed, 
too great care can scarcely be used that no im- 
portant movement should be made without the 
action, either through a general meeting or by 
consultations of individuals, of the whole nas- 
cent congregation. It is according to the spirit 
of Presbyterianism that all important move- 
ments should originate with the people, and be 
carried forward by their united action. 

The next thing that will ordinarily demand 
attention is 



30 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
A cheap sanctuary. 

2. The Building of Sanctuaries. 

It is very desirable, to say the least, that 
the public service of God should be performed 
in a place set apart exclusively for that pur- 
pose. 

Such a place can ordinarily be secured by a 
very small and feeble congregation. There is 
scarcely any thing which better illustrates the 
proverb, " Where there is a will there is a way," 
than the manner in which a few families, united 
in a proper spirit, often succeed in the erection 
of a sanctuary. 

Let it not be forgotten that, if the congrega- 
tion be small and feeble, the accommodations 
required are also limited, and may be made in 
a very cheap and humble manner. The laud- 
able desire to make the house of God respecta- 
ble may be held in abeyance for the present, 
or gratified by taste in the selection of a site 
and the disposition of shade-trees and other 
cheap contrivances for rendering the place at- 
tractive. A small expenditure in neatly fen- 
cing and adorning the church-yard, with ar- 
rangements for securing that cleanliness which 
is allied to holiness, will render a very humble 
sanctuary delightful, and do much to cause 



THE CHURCH. 31 



Example of one. 



men to think of it as "the house of God and 
the gate of heaven." 

It can not be said that there is no instance 
in which a feeble congregation may not send 
abroad and solicit from more prosperous com- 
munities the means of erecting a sanctuary. 
In very important positions there may be num- 
bers that would be drawn to an attractive place 
of worship, while there are literally almost 
none that feel interest enough in the subject to 
do any thing for the erection of a church des- 
titute of architectural beauty. Less real conse- 
quence, however, belongs to such a procedure 
than is commonly imagined. 

In one of our rising towns, a few years since, 
the people took their axes to fell the trees for 
the frame of a new church on Tuesday morn- 
ing. On Saturday afternoon of the same week 
the sanctuary was complete. It was a frame 
sixty feet by twenty-four. The roof was fin- 
ished. It was weather-boarded, furnished with 
twelve good windows, comfortable seats, and a 
pulpit. In short, every thing was done that 
was deemed necessary till the congregation 
was enabled to build an elegant village church. 
That simple church was filled on the following 
Sabbath morning by a congregation, many of 



32 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Church-Erection Fund. 

whom were more attracted by the spirit of the 
undertaking than they would have been by an 
imposing style of architecture. 

Such a course of procedure, in a great ma- 
jority of instances, would be more conducive 
to the establishment of the Church than would 
any efforts to solicit assistance for erecting a 
more respectable house of worship. 

After the organization of a society and the 
constitution of a Church by the competent au- 
thority, application may be made, when neces- 
sary, for a portion of the fund known as the 
"Church-Erection Fund," for "aiding feeble 
congregations, in connection with the General As- 
sembly, in erecting houses of worship." 

The following regulations must then be ob- 
served : 

" All applications for aid shall be made, in 
the first instance, to the Committee on Church 
Extension of the Synod to which the appli- 
cants belong, or within whose bounds they 
are situated. Every application shall be made 
in writing, and shall particularly state the lo- 
cation of the house ; the number of families or 
persons attached to the congregation, or that 
propose to unite in building a house of wor- 
ship ; the description of the house which they 






THE CHURCH. 83 



Forming a Church. 



propose to build, with its estimated and proba- 
ble cost; the amount of reliable subscriptions 
which have been obtained, and how much has 
been paid thereon; the amount of available 
means possessed by the congregation, if any ; 
whether the congregation is in debt, and if so, 
to what amount, and when the same becomes 
due ; and also any other facts which may aid 
the Committee of the Synod in judging of the 
application. This application shall be accom- 
panied by the certificate of one of the legal ad- 
visers of the Board of Trustees, that the title to 
the lot on which the house is built or to be 
built is vested in said congregation, and is free 
from all legal encumbrance and liability." 

3. The Organization of Churches. 

For the organization of a Church, application 
should be made to the Presbytery, where the 
circumstances permit it. If this be not conven- 
ient on account of distance, any ordained min- 
ister is competent to form such an organization. 
Application must then be made, at the earliest 
practicable moment, to be received into connec- 
tion with the Presbytery within whose bounds 
the Church naturally lies. 

After the Church has been so far formed as 
C 



34 THE PRESBYTERIANS HAND-BOOK. 
Officers appointed. 

to designate the persons of which it is com- 
posed, elders and deacons should be elected by 
ballot, and ordained to their offices respective- 
ly. For the general principles to be observed 
in performing these duties, recourse must be 
had to " The Form of Government" and ;; The 
Digest." 

As no method for the election of these offi- 
cers in new churches is prescribed, the following 
suggestions may be of service in such cases : 

Immediately after the organization of the 
Church, or at a meeting subsequently held for 
the purpose, and constituted by the appoint- 
ment of a chairman and secretary, let it be first 
determined what number of elders and deacons 
shall be chosen to these offices respectively. 
Nominations may then be made by members 
of the Church, and the vote taken by ballot. 
The persons thus elected should then be ordain- 
ed to their respective offices, or this may be 
done at a subsequent service of the Church, as 
may be deemed expedient. 

It is most proper that only the male mem- 
bers of the Church, of full age, should vote at 
such elections, but it is competent for any 
Church to decide otherwise. 

The offices of elder and deacon are, accord- 



THE CHURCH. 85 



Their ordination. 



ing to the New Testament and the principles 
of Presbyterianism, distinct ; therefore to unite 
them in one individual, though not uncommon, 
is an irregularity, and is deemed highly inex- 
pedient. 

It is most seemly that elders and deacons 
should be ordained separately, and the ordina- 
tion should be by the laying on of the hands 
of the officiating minister and the ruling elders 
that may be present.* 

At subsequent elections in the same Church, 
it is advisable for the Session, or for a joint 
committee from the Session and the Church, to 
nominate additional officers, who are to be elect- 
ed in the manner just described, and ordained 
by the existing Session, the pastor, or, if there 
be no pastor, some other minister officiating. 

* Dr. Miller's Essay on Ruling Elders, chapter xiii. 



36 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Sharing expenses. 



CHAPTER III. 

DUTIES OF CHURCH MEMBERS IN THEIR ASSO- 
CIATED CAPACITY. 

The Church is one body, and all the mem- 
bers are bound to exercise a mutual care for 
one another, and for the Church as a whole. 

1. All ought to pay their fair proportion of 
the pecuniary support of the congregation, in- 
dependently of their benevolent contributions. 
Some expense must always attend the main- 
tenance of Christian ordinances. A sanctuary 
can not be erected without cost. The ministry 
can not be sustained, so as to secure the whole 
time of a pastor to the care of the flock, with- 
out provision being made for his support. 
The bread and wine for the holy communion 
must be paid for as any common article. Ar- 
rangements must be made for instructing the 
young, and the suffering poor must be assisted. 
There is no reason why any should contribute 
to these objects that does not apply to every 
member of the Church, who is not in a condi- 
tion of utter penury. 






THE CHURCH. 37 



Activity and prayer. 



2. All are alike bound to attend upon the 
ordinary means of grace. The sanctuary ought 
not to be forsaken ; nor can any member of a 
Church be justified in being absent from the 
stated lecture or meeting for prayer unless sick- 
ness, or some special Providence or pressing ex- 
igency be allowed to set aside such a duty as 
being for the time of inferior consequence. 

3. Every member ought to inquire daily 
whether some obligation to practical action 
does not devolve on him or her for advancing 
the interests of the Church ; and no one ought 
to forget to pray for all the members and offi- 
cers, and especially for the pastor, that God 
would keep and sanctify him, and crown his 
labors with success. 

4. Every member of the Church ought to 
endeavor to win souls to the love and service 
of the Saviour. There are few who may not 
contribute something to the work of teaching 
the young, and leading them to become true 
disciples of Christ. Children are peculiarly ac- 
cessible and susceptible to good impressions. 
An assiduous care, with long-continued and 
faithful instruction, and fervent prayer for di- 
vine influence, may be expected to secure the 
spiritual welfare of some who had else been 



38 THE PRESBYTERIANS HAND-BOOK. 

Saving souls. 

neglected and left to die in their sins. There 
are various other methods also by which a sin- 
cere and earnest Christian may expect to suc- 
ceed in becoming an instrument in the conver- 
sion of sinners. The securing of a regular at- 
tendance of one soul upon the sanctuary may 
bring a whole family into the kingdom of 
Christ. Books or tracts may be loaned or giv- 
en, counsels may be imparted, and letters of 
friendship may be written ; and all who shall 
make it an object of cherished desire and fer- 
vent prayer to become the means of saving 
souls, may at least hope to secure some who 
shall be gems in their everlasting crown. 

As an encouraging illustration of the power 
of prayer for this end, we cite the following in- 
cident from a recent Presbyterial narrative of 
the state of religion. " A few years ago, a pas- 
tor, now deceased, for a long time before his 
death made a number of his congregation the 
subjects of special prayer. As he lay on his 
dying bed, taking from under his pillow a pa- 
per with their names inscribed on it, he pre- 
sented it to a brother, saying, ' Could I have 
lived to see their conversion, I could ask no 
more.' Of these individuals, twenty-five in 
number, the present pastor is able to report 
the conversion of everv one." 






THE CHURCH. 39 



Christian liberality. 



5. All ought to cherish and cultivate a spirit 
of Christian liberality. 

" There are certain great principles laid down 
in Scripture in relation to giving, and the use of 
property, respecting which there is much general 
skepticism. They are such as the following : 

"(1.) That which we have, we hold as stew- 
ards that must give account. 

" (2.) The way to increase is to distribute. 
Some are rich because liberal. 

"(5.) That which is given to the poor is 
loaned to the Lord. 

"(4.) That which is done to Christ's little 
ones is done to himself." 

This subject is practically treated in a subse- 
quent section. 

6. To this summary we may add the sugges- 
tion that the strictest attention to the principles 
of Church order is due from each member to- 
ward the particular body to which he belongs. 
A neglect of duties apparently trifling may 
often occasion serious embarrassment to a pas- 
tor or Session, while the readiness and ease with 
which these duties may be performed renders 
their omission the less excusable. 

Let the pastor, then, be furnished directly with 
early information on the following points : 



40 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Small duties. 

(1.) The change of residence of any Church 
member. 

(2.) The marriage of any female member 
(unless performed by the pastor), with the hus- 
band's name in full. 

(3.) The death of any communicant, or of 
any child baptized in the Church, with the date 
and the full name of the deceased person. 

(4.) Any fact that may be learned respecting 
the residence or history of members who have 
removed from the Church without a regular 
dismission. 

To these items, thus briefly stated, we present 
in a more expanded form the subject of the 

7. Division of Labor. 

To secure the highest usefulness of the 
Church, a division of labor is requisite. The 
labors of a Church are often of little value for 
the want of such a system as shall cover the 
whole field of action, and secure attention to 
each separate department of Christian work. 

The pastor must be expected, as a skillful 
general, to contrive schemes of action, and to 
see that suitable persons are appointed to fur- 
ther them. 

Among these, the Sunday-schools hold an 



THE CHURCH. 41 



Sunday-school work. 



important place. If there be one school held 
in the sanctuary, or the chapel, or lecture-room, 
a field is open for the employment of a super- 
intendent, a secretary, a librarian, and sometimes 
for a female assistant in the labors of the super- 
intendent. In addition to these, there is room 
for a large number of the members of the con- 
gregation in the work of teaching. 

A difficulty often arises in adjusting the sup- 
ply of teachers and scholars to one another. 
Sometimes teachers can not be found for va- 
cant classes ; at other times classes can not be 
found for the teachers that offer their services. 

To meet this difficulty, it will be safe to ac- 
cept every competent teacher. If there are not 
classes enough, they may be increased by di- 
vision, since any person may find sufficient em- 
ployment in teaching one or two pupils ; and 
a small class may be made a nucleus around 
which a larger one can be collected. It should 
be made a principle never to decline the recep- 
tion of either a teacher or a scholar. 

Even if teachers do no more than to keep 
little children in order, and now and then to 
set a single text of Scripture, like a gem, in the 
memory of a child, it is not a slight thing, inas- 
much as in doing this such child is taught to 



42 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Various departments. 

love the sanctuary, and to join in those beauti- 
ful hymns and devotions which can, of them- 
selves, exercise an influence that pays manifold 
for all the labor of bringing them to the place 
and watching over their behavior. The Sun- 
day-school, at the present day, ought to employ 
nearly all of the congregation, either in impart- 
ing or receiving instruction. 

The ends of the Sunday-school are greatly 
advanced by constituting as many departments 
as the conveniences for room will allow. If 
there be an infant department, and another for 
young children capable of reading and study- 
ing, and another still for children from twelve 
to fifteen years, and Bible-classes of a still high- 
er grade ; and if such arrangements can be made 
that all can join in common exercises, in spirit- 
ual songs and prayers, and in listening to ad- 
dresses, several advantages will be gained. In 
the first place, the elder children can be retain- 
ed longer "under the influence of this system 
for juvenile instruction. 

Where there is but one school, the advanced 
pupils come to feel ashamed of being associated 
as pupils with those that are so much their 
juniors. But if there are various departments, 
those who are advanced to well-prepared and 



THE CHURCH. 43 



Graded schools. 



separate rooms find no difficulty in maintain- 
ing their self-respect, and still continuing their 
connection with the system of congregational 
teaching. Moreover, in this plan of a cluster 
of graded schools instead of a single depart- 
ment, room is made for the employment of a 
larger number in positions of official conse- 
quence. The superintendent of the infant de- 
partment, the superintendent of the larger de- 
partment, the superintendent of the advanced 
department, and the teachers of the Bible-class- 
es, male and female, will constitute a company of 
five or more persons, upon whom responsibilities 
of an important and highly honorable charac- 
ter will devolve. Add to these librarians, pri- 
mary and assistant secretaries, a leader of the 
singing, and a musician presiding at the melo- 
deon, and you have a highly respectable corps 
of persons appointed to special and important 
functions. It requires but a slight knowledge 
of human nature to perceive that such arrange- 
ments give satisfaction and secure efficiency. 

To these must be added a class of arrange- 
ments that shall secure a social united action 
of all the officers, teachers, and pupils together. 
Exercises in singing, in which the sentiments 
of our beautiful Sunday-school hymns may be 



4-i the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Occasional meeting?. 

fixed in the memory and impressed upon the 
hearts of all, are of great consequence. They 
create much enjoyment and attachment to the 
school, and exercise a most salutary and lasting 
religious influence. 

A monthly missionary meeting is also a most 
happy arrangement. It trains the children and 
teachers to the work of benevolence, and fur- 
nishes opportunities for every one to attempt 
something in the way of pleading the cause of 
missions, and making collections in its behalf. 
It also opens the way for young men to exer- 
cise and cultivate their gifts for public speak- 
ing. It is well to hold such meetings in the 
sanctuary, giving them the place of an after- 
noon service, that the pastor may be present to 
assist, and that parents and others may, by their 
presence, lend countenance and encouragement 
to the work. 

These meetings ought also to be crowned, 
once in each year, by an anniversary, for which 
ample preparations should be made. Full re- 
ports may then be presented of what has been 
accomplished ; and the whole work of juvenile 
instruction and missionary labor should be con- 
templated as something to be entered upon anew, 
with whatever encouragement may be derived 
from past successes. 



THE CHURCH. 45 



The neglected poor. 



There is yet another sphere of Sunday-school 
labor that demands attention, especially in our 
city populations. 

MISSION SCHOOLS. 

Some of our churches have performed a 
beautiful work in gathering into rooms, in des- 
titute localities, a large number of the neglected 
children, and teaching them the Gospel. Sev- 
eral of our churches in the city of New York 
are thus instructing more than one thousand 
children each, and many are supporting mission 
schools with from one hundred to five hundred 
pupils. In Philadelphia and New York sev- 
eral churches have erected, each for itself, a 
building devoted to this purpose. Many more 
churches are abundantly able to do the same 
work. Let a few men of financial ability 
make the necessary investigations, find suit- 
able ground, project a plan, renting a part of 
the building, if necessary, for an income, and it 
would not be found difficult to raise sufficient 
means for the achievement of the work. Many 
worldly men, who have not faith to labor for dis- 
tant heathen tribes, may be easily induced to con- 
tribute for the moral and religious improvement 
of the neglected poor among ourselves. 



46 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Periodical collection. 

Let every church consider whether it has not 
work of this sort to perform. 

Another department of usefulness which de- 
mands system and a judicious division of la- 
bor is 

THE CAUSE OF BEXEVOLEXCE GENERALLY. 

Certain benevolent objects are, by the usage 
of our churches, brought before the congrega- 
tions for periodical collections. It has been 
deemed wise to assign each of these objects, as 
the Bible Society, the Foreign Missionary Cause, 
the Seamen's Friend Society, etc., to a partic- 
ular season of the year. 

It is suggested as a good plan — a plan that 
has been successfully employed — to appoint one 
or more persons to care for each separate inter- 
est of this sort : to see the pastor, and secure 
arrangements for presenting it at its appropri- 
ate time, and to do whatever may be deemed 
necessary to make the appeal an effective one. 

It should be their care also to observe who 
are absent at the time of taking the collection, 
and to call on the persons in the week follow- 
ing, not for the purpose of urging them to give, 
but of allowing them the opportunity and priv- 
ilege of contributing. 



THE CHURCH. 17 



Monthly concert. 



Committees of one or two persons each may 
also be appointed to take charge of the differ- 
ent missionary fields, whose duty it should be 
to make themselves familiar with the geogra- 
phy and general history of the localities assign- 
ed them, and to present, at each monthly con- 
cert, a condensed view of the condition and 
progress of the several stations, with such in- 
teresting facts as they may wish to communi- 
cate. A brief statement made in the speaker's 
own words will ordinarily awaken more inter- 
est than a consecutive reading from the mis- 
sionary publications. 

A wise apportionment of these duties among 
many laborers will impose but a slight burden 
on each, and call into exercise a larger working 
force. 

These views may be properly concluded with 
some suggestions respecting 

8. Benevolent Contributions. 

"Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay 
by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no 
gatherings when I come." — 1 Cor., xvi., 2. 

The Scriptures enjoin the duty of benevo- 
lence. The precepts, encouragements, and warn- 
ings in relation to it are remarkably numerous 



48 THE pkesbyterian's hand-book. 

The Scriptures on giving. 

and explicit. It has ever been recognized 
among pious men as sacred, and a neglect of 
it is plainly incompatible with the highest at- 
tainments in piety and usefulness. 

The following passages are referred to among 
a large number that inculcate liberality: "Hon- 
or the Lord with thy substance, and with the 
first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy 
barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses 
shall burst out with new wine." — Prov., iii., 9, 
10. " There is that scattereth, and yet increas- 
eth; and there is that withholdeth more than 
is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal 
soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth 
shall be watered also himself." — Prov., xi., 24, 
25. "I have showed you all things, how that 
so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and 
to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how 
he said, It is more blessed to give than to re- 
ceive." — Acts, xx., 35. "But to do good and 
to communicate, forget not ; for with such sacri- 
fices God is well pleased." — Heb., xiii., 16. These 
and other passages, such as Prov., xix., 17 ; Isa., 
xxxii., 8; Haggai, ii., 8; Mark, xii., 41-44, and 
Acts, xi., 29, are sufficiently explicit with regard 
to the general obligation of giving; and the ex- 
amples of liberality recorded in the Scriptures 



THE CHURCH. 49 



Systematic charity. 



plainly show the importance attached to it un- 
der the Patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the Chris- 
tian dispensations. 

The Jewish law prescribed a definite rate of 
giving, but made provision also for free-will of- 
ferings beyond the appointed tithes. The Gos- 
pel certainly has not lowered the standard of 
benevolence, while, depending on the influence 
of its higher spiritual motives, it prescribes no 
definite amount to be given away. 

It still enjoins, however, the observance of a 
system in giving. In the passage prefixed to 
this section we are taught to give away in pro- 
portion to our prosperity, and at stated inter- 
vals. It is coming to be more widely acknowl- 
edged that this is the true principle for the guid- 
ance of the Christian Church. Its advantages 
are apparent for securing a higher standard of 
benevolence, and greatly increasing the facility 
of giving. 

It is therefore earnestly recommended to all 
to set apart for benevolent purposes, at regular 
intervals, an amount bearing such a proportion 
to their worldly means, and such a relation to 
their prosperity, as seem fairly to meet the teach- 
ings of the Gospel on this subject. This appro- 
priation should be increased, in actual amount 
D 



50 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Its apportionment. 

not only, but in relative proportion also, with 
the growth of prosperity. 

Let the amount periodically set apart by each 
individual be apportioned by him judiciously 
among the several objects regularly presented 
to the congregation ; a margin being reserved, 
however, for extra collections and his own pri- 
vate charities. If such a plan be adopted, and 
reduced to writing for the sake of exactness 
and of easy reference, it will be found of great 
use in regulating and facilitating our benevo- 
lent gifts. 

This may be done in the form suggested by 
the following card, published by the American 
Systematic Beneficence Society. It will, of 
course, be understood that the objects and times 
referred to may be changed to suit persons and 
circumstances. 

In each congregation it may be advisable to 
have such cards printed for general circulation, 
containing the several objects regularly present- 
ed for collections. 



THE CHURCH. 51 



CARD OF BENEFICENCE 

OF THE 

CHURCH. 



COLLECTIONS WILL BE TAKEN IN 


THE FOLLOWING ORDER. 


January. 


Foreign Missions. 


| $ | cts. 


March. 


The City Mission. 


May. 


Home Missions. 


July. 


Sunday-school. j 


September. 


Tract Society. 


November. 


Bible Society. 



Depending on the blessing of Providence, I agree with 
myself and with the Giver of all mercies to divide among 
the above objects a sum total of — per cent, of my month- 
ly or annual income. Should God prosper me beyond my 
expectations, I will increase the percentage accordingly. 



The dollar and cent columns can be used for noting the 
proportion of percentage to be given to each object, ac- 
cording to the donor's conviction of its claims, or for re- 
cording the actual amount given. 

It is left with the conscience and heart of every person to 
take home, Jill out, and sign the above pledge, laying it aside 
for reference and as a covenant with God. The Jews, who 
were mostly farmers, gave about 30 per cent. There are 
persons who now give ten per cent., or more, of their in- 
come, to strictly benevolent causes. It is recommended 
that, in all cases where it is possible, at least six per cent, 
be devoted to the objects named in this card. The duty of 
first importance is to decide, intelligently and prayerfully, 
on some rate of beneficence, according as the Lord has 
prospered you, whether it be thirty, twenty, ten, five, three, 
or two per cent. No one but can give twenty-five cents a 
year to each of the above objects. 

Where there is no fixed income for the year, a reckon- 
ing for the two months preceding a collection can be made. 
And when the current year can not be calculated, the pre- 
ceding year can be the basis of calculation. This card is 
not intended to exclude the presentation of any occasional 
benevolent object. 



52 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Infant dependence. 



CHAPTER IV. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS. 

Christian parents ought to prepare them- 
selves for the great and responsible work of 
training up their children for the service of 
God and for heaven. No other human rela- 
tion, no other position, gives one immortal mind 
so much power to mould and form another as 
the relation and position of a parent. No other 
person can gain precedence of the parent in the 
commencing of an influence upon the mind. 

The dependence of infancy on a mother is 
earlier than the earliest of possible memories. 
The little one knows a mother's smile and a 
mother's beneficence before it recognizes a re- 
lation to any other being in the universe. It 
perceives the tone of authority first in a moth- 
er's voice, and gains its first idea of penalty 
from a mother's frown. Nor is its consciousness 
awakened to the effort of merely one superior 
mind to control its earliest purposes. Two 
united wills, one of softer and gentler, and the 



THE CHURCH. 53 



Books and teachers. 



other of sterner action, are united to secure a 
perfect moral control. 

Yet parents, and especially young parents, 
have much to learn in order that they may 
wisely and successfully train their children. 
To this end the Scriptures are to be diligently 
studied, and daily prayer is to be offered for 
wisdom from above. 

It is not consonant to the purpose of this 
manual to furnish extended instruction on this 
or any other branch of Christian duty. Useful 
books might be named as suggesting the kind 
of reading which may be made available in fur- 
nishing parents for their great work — the most 
momentous work of their lives. Such publi- 
cations as " Witherspoon's Letters," Abbott's 
" Mother at Home," "The Mother's Magazine," 
and a large list of productions of a similar char- 
acter, may be easily found by reference to our 
Sunday-school and other religious libraries. 

To this recommendation of books may be 
added a word of counsel and of caution. More 
can often be learned from living teachers, and 
by availing one's self of the current experience 
of Christian friends, than by resorting to writ- 
ten treatises. The chief end of instruction is 
not so much to fill the mind with a set of rules 



54 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Authority and restraint. 

and maxims to be mechanically followed, as to 
furnish it with useful information, to secure the 
adoption of right principles, and to mature the 
judgment. Beyond this parents are to be left 
to mutual counsel and prayer. Exigencies will 
arise, to meet which no specific instruction will 
be found adequate. 

It may not be improper, however, in this 
place to suggest a few hints touching the duties 
of parents generally. 

1. It is their duty to establish their authority 
over their children, and thus impart to them a 
just sense of the nature and importance of obe- 
dience. This idea, and the habit of obeying, will 
prepare the way for a recognition of God's au- 
thority, and hence will be highly favorable to 
an early conversion and to Christian usefulness. 

2. Children ought to be restrained absolute- 
ly from what is wrong. 

We mean to say that Christianity and Chris- 
tian wisdom know nothing of two sets of moral 
injunctions, one for pious and another for un- 
converted children. True, a parent may lose 
the power of restraining a child, or of restrain- 
ing without producing such an irritation in one 
approaching maturity as shall work more harm 
to the prospect of reformation than indulgence 



THE CHURCH. 55 



Rules for training children. 



would do in its stead. Of course, it is not wise 
to attempt what there is no power to accom- 
plish. 

3. Children ought to be inured to a scrupu- 
lous performance of their religious duties. They 
are to Be trained from early childhood to be al- 
ways in their place around the family altar, in 
the sanctuary, at the lecture, and in the circle 
of social prayer. 

4. Children ought to be guarded carefully 
and skillfully against the power of temptation. 

Too much must not be exacted, while they 
are allowed in nothing absolutely wicked. Per- 
haps no one thing is of greater moment than 
wisely alluring them from a dangerous to a safe 
diversion. A Christian parent might better af- 
ford to expend a considerable sum to give to 
his son some safe and ennobling gratification, 
than to allow him a pittance to visit some dan- 
gerous place of public amusement. 

5. Children ought to be made, by their par- 
ents, the objects of fervent prayer and faithful 
pious counsels. 

To this end family worship should be main- 
tained; systematic instruction should be im- 
parted; and the children, from their earliest 
years, should be accustomed to kind, tender 



56 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Instruction. Catechisms. 

Christian conversation. They should also be 
taught to pray. 

These duties can be easily performed by par- 
ents that accustom themselves to the work from 
the infancy of their children. A pastor and a 
Sunday-school teacher may be a great assist- 
ance to parents in the successful performance of 
these duties; but nothing can relieve the latter 
from a responsibility in respect to their own 
offspring, such as can be imposed on no other 
human being. 

It is proposed to complete this view of pa- 
rental duty by subjoining a brief system of in- 
struction, and a few forms of devotional assist- 
ance. 

A short explanation of the design of this ap- 
pendage may not be out of place. 

The Initiatory Catechism passes over the same 
general ground as the Assembly's Shorter Cate- 
chism, with a little additional matter in respect 
to the ecclesiastical arrangements of our revered 
and beloved Church. This is the main thing 
which distinguishes it as the Presbyterian Initia- 
tory Catechism. The Assembly's Shorter Cate- 
chism is added in a compact style, in order that 
these forms of instruction, by being bound up 
in the Manual, may serve to remind parents of 



THE CHURCH. 5? 



Initiatory Catechism. 



their duty, and that they may not be lost, as they 
are apt to be when possessed only in the cheap 
penny editions prepared for children's classes. 
The devotional forms are added, not for the 
purpose of recommending precomposed pray- 
ers, but only as crutches for the lame — assist- 
ance for those who, from beginning late in life, 
or from an insuperable diffidence, would neglect 
family worship altogether if not thus aided. 

INITIATOBY CATECHISM. 

PART I.— CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 

1. Who made you? 
God. 

2. What else has God made? 
He made all things. 

3. Of what did God make all things? 
Of nothing. 

4. For what did God make you? 
To love and serve him. 

5. What will make you most happy ? 
To love and serve God. 

6. How long will it make you happy to love 
and serve God ? 

All my life. 

7. Will to love and serve God make you 
happy in the next world too ? 



58 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Initiatory Catechism. 

Yes, when I die. 

8. What is the rule to show you how to love 
and serve God ? 

The Word of God. 

9. What does the Word of God teach you? 
To love the truth and do right. 

10. Is God good? 

Yes ; in all he thinks and does. 

11. Does God know all things? 
Yes ; he knows all my thoughts. 

12. Does God see all things ? 

Yes ; and he sees me all the time, night and 
day. 

13. Did God make all men at once? 

No ; he first made one man and one woman. 

14. What were their names ? 
Adam and Eve. 

15. Were they good or bad when God made 
them? 

They were good. 

16. What do you mean by saying that they 
were good ? 

I mean they felt right and did right all the 
time. 

17. Did they keep on so? 
]STo ; they sinned and fell. 

18. What is sin? 



THE CHURCH. 59 



Initiatory Catechism. 



To sin is to feel wrong or do wrong. 

19. What was the sin by which Adam and 
Eve fell? 

They ate the fruit which God told them they 
must not eat. 

20. Did all men fall in the first sin of Adam 
and Eve ? 

Yes ; we are born like them, and we all sin 
as soon as we know right and wrong. 

21. Into what state has the fall brought men ? 
The fall has brought all men into a lost state. 

22. Did God leave men in this lost state ? 
No ; he sent Christ to save them. 

23. Who is Christ? 
The Son of God. 

24. Is Christ God? 

Yes ; Christ is both God and man. 

25. Is the Holy Spirit God? 
Yes ; the Holy Spirit is God too. 

26. Is the Father God? 

Yes ; our Father in heaven is God. 

27. Does God order all things by his provi- 
dence ? 

Yes ; a sparrow can not fall without our Fa- 
ther. 

28. Is there more than one God? 
No : there is but one true God. 



60 THE PRESBnPnEBIAK 7 S HAXD-BOOK. 
Initiatory Catechism. 

How did Christ become man ? 
He was born. 

30. Did Christ live before he became man? 
Yes; he lived in heaven. 

31. For how many things is Christ made 
known to you? 

Three. ' 

82. "What are thev ? 

He is mv Prophet. n:v Pries:, and ri" King. 

83. ForVhat Is he -ale v:o:r Prophet? 
To teach me. 

84. T\ hat dies he teach vet;? 
The win of God. 

85. In what wav does he teach you the will 
of God? 

In three wavs. 

B- Li; Word. 

37. Wha: is tr.er.est? 

By tire Holy Spirit. 

39. "What Los Christ dor.e for you as youi 
Priest ? 

He has died for me. 

40. Hot did Chris: die for you? 
On the Cross. 



THE CHURCH. 61 



Initiatory Catechism. 



41. Why did he die for you? 
That he might bear my sins. 

42. Was Christ laid in the grave ? 
Yes ; but he rose again the third day. 

43. How long did he stay in the world after 
he rose from the dead ? 

Five weeks and five days. 

44. Where did he go then ? 
To heaven. 

45. Will he die again for you ? 
No ; he dies but once. 

46. What else does Christ do for you as your 
Priest ? 

He prays for me. 

.47. Will he pray for you more than once ? 

Yes ; he still lives in heaven to pray for me. 

48. What does Christ do for you as your 
King? 

He makes me give up my will to his, and 
rules me by his word. 

49. What do you mean by Christ's humilia- 
tion? 

The low state to which he came when he 
was made man. 

50. How many things are there in his low 
state ? 

Five. 



62 THE PRESBYTERIANS HAXD-BOOX. 
Initiatory Catechism. 

51. What is the first? 
He was born. 

52. What is the second? 
He was poor. 

53. What is the third? 
He bore the ills of life. 

54. What is the fourth ? 
He died on the Cross. 

55. What is the fifth? 

He lay in the grave till the third day. 

56. What do you mean by Christ's exalta- 
tion? 

The high, state to which he came when he 
rose from the dead. 

57. How many things are there in this high 
state ? 

Five. 

58. What is the first? , 
He rose from the dead. 

59. What is the second ? 
He went up to heaven. 

60. What is the third ? 

He sat down at the right hand of God. 

61. What is the fourth? 

He rules all the world as King of kings. 

62. What is the fifth? 

He will come to judge the world. 






THE CHURCH. 63 



Initiatory Catechism. 



63. What is a disciple of Christ? 
One who learns and does the will of Christ. 
64/ By ,what are you made a disciple of 
Christ? 
By the Holy Spirit. 

65. How does the Holy Spirit make you a 
disciple of Christ ? 

He works faith in me. 

66. What is faith? 
Trust in Christ. 

67. What will God do for you if you trust 
in Christ ? 

Three things. 

68. What three things? 

He will justify me, he will adopt me, and he 
will sanctify me. 

69. What does God do when he justifies you? 
He forgives my sins and treats me as if I were 

good. 

70. What does God do for you when he 
adopts you ? 

He takes me for his child. 

71. What does he do for you when he sanc- 
tifies you ? 

He makes me holy, more and more. 

72. What will God do for you in this world 
if you trust in Christ ? 



64 THE PRESBYTERIANS HAXD-BOOK. 
Initiatory Catechism. 

If I trust in Christ, God will love me and 
make me happy, and help me to serve him as 
long as I live. 

7 •: , What will God do for you when you die, 
if y : a now trust in Christ ? 

If I now trust in Christ, God will make me 
holy and happy when I die. 

PART II.— CHRISTIAN DUTY. 

M What does God bid you to do? 
He bids me to obey his will. 

75. How many commandments of God are 
there ? 

Ten. 

76. On what did God, at first, write the ten 
commandments ? 

On two tables of stone. 

77. How many are there on the first table ? 
Four. 

78. How many on the second ? 
Six. 

79. What does the first table contain? 
Our duty to God. 

80. What does the second table contain? 
Our duty to man. 

81. What is the whole law? 
Love to God and love to man. 



THE CHURCH. 65 



Initiatory Catechism. 



82. How much must you love God ? 
With all my heart. 

83. How much must you love man? 
As much as I love myself. 

84. What are the ten commandments called? 
The Decalogue. 

85. What does God bid you to do in the first 
commandment ? 

He bids me to take the Lord alone to be my 
God. 

86. What does God bid you not to do in the 
second commandment ? 

He bids me not to worship images. 

87. What does God bid you not to do in the 
third commandment ? 

He bids me not to take his name in vain. 

88. What does God bid you to do in the 
fourth commandment ? 

To remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 

89. What does God bid you to do in the fifth 
commandment? 

To honor my parents. 

90. What does God bid you not to do in the 
sixth commandment. 

He bids me not to kill. 

91. What does God forbid you to do in the 
seventh commandment ? 

E 



6Q the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Initiatory Catechism. 

God forbids me to say or do any thing that 
is impure. 

92. What does God bid you not to do in the 
eighth commandment ? 

He bids me not to cheat or steal. 

93. What does God bid you not to do in the 
ninth commandment ? 

He bids me not to lie or to speak evil of 
others. 

94. "What does God bid you not to do in the 
tenth commandment ? 

He bids me not to covet what belongs to any 
body else. 

95. How ought you to keep these command- 
ments ? 

I ought to keep every one of them all the 
time. 

96. Do you thus keep them? 
No ; I break them every day. 

97. How do you break them? 

In my thoughts, words, and actions. 

98. What does the breaking of any of these 
commandments deserve ? 

God's displeasure forever. 

99. How can you escape God's displeasure ? 
By faith and repentance. 

100. What is faith? 



THE CHURCH. 67 



Initiatory Catechism. 



Trust in Christ. 

101. "What is repentance ? 
Sorrow for sin. 

102. Can you believe and repent of yourself ? 
No ; faith and repentance are the gift of God. 

103. What are the principal means of grace ? 
The word of God, the sacraments, and prayer. 

104. What must you do that the word of 
God may be made the means of salvation to 
you? 

I must read or hear it, and pray to God. 

105. What is a sacrament ? 

A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted 
by Christ. 

106. How do the sacraments become the 
means of salvation ? 

By the blessing of Christ, and the work of 
the Holy Spirit. 

107. How many sacraments are there in the 
New Testament ? 

Two only. 

108. What are they? 
Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 

109. What is Baptism? 

Baptism is putting water on a person in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. 



68 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Initiatory Catechism. 

110. Who may be baptized? 
Believers in Christ and their children. 

111. What is the Lord's Supper? 

The Lord's Supper is a sacrament, wherein 
by giving and receiving bread and wine, ac- 
cording to Christ's appointment, his death is 
showed forth. 

112. What is prayer? 

Prayer is the offering up of our desires unto 
God. 

113. What is the Lord's Prayer? 

The Lord's Prayer is the prayer which Christ 
taught his disciples. 

114. How are we taught to address God in 
the Lord's Prayer ? 

As Our Father who art in heaven. 

115. How many petitions are there in the 
Lord's Prayer? 

Five. 

116. Which is the first petition? 
Hallowed be thy name. 

117. Which is the second? 

Thy kingdom come; thy will be done in 
earth, as it is in heaven. 

118. Which is the third? 



Give us this day our daily bread. 
119. Which is the fourth? 






THE cnuRCH. 69 



Initiatory Catechism. 



Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debt- 
ors. 

120. Which is the fifth? 

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil. 

121. What is the conclusion of the Lord's 
prayer ? 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and 
the glory, forever. Amen. 

PART III.— THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

122. Of what does the Church consist ? 
The Church consists of Christ's people and 

their children. 

123. What is the Church universal? 

The Church universal is all Christ's people 
in the whole world and their children. 

124. What is a Church as a single worship- 
ing assembly ? 

It is a society of Christ's people and their 
children, with their proper officers, 

125. What are the officers of Christ's Church? 
The officers of Christ's Church are bishops or 

pastors, ruling elders and deacons. 

126. Are there any higher officers in Christ's 
Church ? 

No ; Christ is the only head of His Church, 



70 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

The Lord' s Prayer. 

and there is no higher officer in the Church of 
Christ than the bishop of a congregation. 

127. Are all bishops or ministers equal? 
Yes ; every minister or pastor is bishop of 

his own congregation, and all bishops are equal. 

128. What are ruling elders ? 

Euling elders are men who, with the minister 
or bishop, have the spiritual oversight of the 
congregation. 

129. "What are deacons? 

Deacons are men who have the care of the 
poor, 

THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name. 

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 
earth, as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our 
debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 



THE CHUKCH. 71 



The Ten Commandments. 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

EXODUS, XX. 

God spake all these words, saying, I am the 
Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of 
the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 

I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any grav- 
en image, or any likeness of any thing that is in 
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, 
or that is in the water under the earth ; thou 
shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve 
them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous 
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon 
the children unto the third and fourth genera- 
tion of them that hate me, and showing mercy 
unto thousands of them that love me and keep 
my commandments. 

III. Thou shalt not take the name of the 
Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord will not 
hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 

IV. Eemember the Sabbath day to keep it 
holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all 
thy work ; but the seventh day is the Sabbath 
of the Lord thy God ; in it thou shalt not do 
any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, 
thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy 



72 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
The Shorter Catechism. 

cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; 
for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, 
the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the 
seventh day ; wherefore the Lord blessed the 
Sabbath day and hallowed it. 

V. Honor thy father and thy mother, that 
thy days may be long upon the land which the 
Lord thy God giveth thee. 

VI. Thou shalt not kill. 

YII. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

VIII. Thou shalt not steal. 

IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against 
thy neighbor. 

X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, 
thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his 
man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, 
nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's. 

THE SHOETEB, CATECHISM. 

1. What is the chief end of man ? 

Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to en- 
joy him forever. 

2. What rule hath God given to direct us 
how we may glorify and enjoy him? 

The word of God, which is contained in the 
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is 
the only rule to direct us how we may glorify 
and enjoy him. 



THE CHURCH. 73 



The Shorter Catechism. 



3. What do the Scriptures principally teach? 
The Scriptures principally teach what man is 

to believe concerning God, and what duty God 
requires of man. 

4. What is God? 

God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchange- 
able in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, jus- 
tice, goodness, and truth. 

5. Are there more Gods than one ? 

There is but one only, the living and true 
God. 

6. How many persons are there in the God- 
head? 

There are three persons in the Godhead — the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these 
three are one God, the same in substance, equal 
in power and glory. 

7. What are the decrees of God ? 

The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, 
according to the counsel of his will, whereby for 
his own glory he hath foreordained whatsoever 
comes to pass. 

8. How doth God execute his decrees ? 
God executeth his decrees in the works of 

creation and providence. 

9. What is the work of creation ? 

The work of creation is God's making all 



7- THE PRESBYTERIANS HAXD-BOOK. 
The Shorter Catechism. 

things of nothing, by the his power, in 

space of six da] D very good. 

10. How did (rod create man? 

God created man male and female, after his 

own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and 
holiness, with dominion over the creatures. 

11. What are God's works of pro vidence ? 
God's works of providence are his most holy, 

wise, and powerful preserving and governing all 
his creatures, and all their actions. 

12. What special act of providence did God 
exercise toward man, in the estate wherein he 
was created ? 

When God had created man, he entered into 

: venant of life with him, upon condition of 

perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the 

tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon 

the pain of death. 

13. Did our first parents continue in the es- 
tate wherein they were created ? 

Our first parents, being left to the freedom 
of their own will, fell fro::", the estate -^_erein 
they were created by sinn::.. against 'tcxL 

14. What is sin . 

Sin is any want of conformity unto, or trans- 
i >ii of, the law of God. 

15. What was the sin whereby our firs: 



THE CHURCH. 75 



The Shorter Catechism. 



ents fell from the estate wherein they were 
created ? 

The sin whereby our first parents fell from 
the estate wherein they were created was their 
eating the forbidden fruit. 

16. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first 
transgression ? 

The covenant being made with Adam, not 
only for himself but for his posterity, all man- 
kind, descending from him by ordinary genera- 
tion, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first 
transgression. 

17. Into what estate did the fall bring man- 
kind? 

The fall brought mankind into an estate of 
sin and misery. 

18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that 
estate whereinto man fell ? 

The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man 
fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the 
want of original righteousness, and the corrup- 
tion of his whole nature, which is commonly 
called Original Sin ; together with all actual 
transgressions which proceed from it. 

19. What is the misery of that estate where- 
into man fell ? 

All mankind, by their fall, lost communion 



76 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

The Shorter Catechism. 

with God, are under his wrath and curse, and 
so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to 
death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. 

20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in 
the estate of sin and misery ? 

God having, out of his mere good pleasure, 
from all eternity, elected some to everlasting 
life, did enter into a covenant of grace to deliv- 
er them out of the estate of sin and misery, and 
to bring them into an estate of salvation, by a 
Eedeemer. 

21. Who is the Eedeemer of God's elect? 
The only Eedeemer of God's elect is the Lord 

Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, 
became man, and so was, and continueth to be, 
God and man, in two distinct natures, and one 
person forever. 

22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, 
become man ? 

Christ, the Son of God, became man by tak- 
ing to himself a true body, and a reasonable 
soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy 
Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and 
born of her, yet without sin. 

23. What offices doth Christ execute as our 
Eedeemer ? 

Christ, as our Eedeemer, executeth the offices 



THE CHURCH. 77 



The Shorter Catechism. 



of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in 
his estate of humiliation and exaltation. 

24. How doth Christ execute the office of a 
prophet ? 

Christ executeth the office of a prophet in 
revealing to us, b j his "Word and Spirit, the will 
of God for our salvation. 

25. How doth Christ execute the office of a 
priest ? 

Christ executeth the office of a priest in his 
once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy 
divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in 
making continual intercession for us. 

26. How doth Christ execute the office of a 
king? 

Christ executeth the office of a king in sub- 
duing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, 
and in restraining and conquering all his and 
our enemies. 

27. "Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist? 
Christ's humiliation consisted in his being 

born, and that in a low condition, made under 
the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the 
wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; 
in being buried, and continuing under the pow- 
er of death for a time. 

28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation ? 



78 THE PRESBYTERIA> b HAND-BOOK. 

Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising 
again from the dead on the third day, in as- 
cending np into heaven, in sitting at the right 
hand of God the Father, and in coming to jndge 
the world at the last day. 

29. How are we made partakers of the re- 
denpvlon purebred bv Cbris:? 

We are made partakers of the redemption 
purchased by Christ by the effectual application 



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THE CHURCH. 79 



The Shorter Catechism. 



and the several benefits which in this life do 
either accompany or flow from them. 

33. What is justification? 

Justification is an act of God's free grace, 
wherein he pardoneth all our sins and accept- 
eth us as righteous in his sight, only for the 
righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and re- 
ceived by faith alone. 

34. What is adoption ? 

Adoption is an act of God's free grace, where- 
by we are received into the number, and have 
a right to all the privileges of the sons of God. 

35. What is sanctification ? 
Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, 

whereby we are renewed in the whole man after 
the image of God, and are enabled more and more 
to die unto sin and live unto righteousness. 

36. What are the benefits which in this life 
do accompany or flow from justification, adop- 
tion, and sanctification ? 

The benefits which in this life do accompany 
or flow from justification, adoption, and sancti- 
fication are, assurance of God's love, peace of 
conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of 
grace, and perseverance therein to the end. 

37. What benefits do believers receive from 
Christ at their death ? 



80 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

The Shorter Catechism. 

The souls of believers are, at their death, 
made perfect in holiness, and do immediately 
pass into glory ; and their bodies, being still 
united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the 
resurrection. 

38. What benefits do believers receive from 
Christ at the resurrection ? 

At the resurrection, believers, being raised up 
to glory, shall be openly acknowledged and ac- 
quitted in the day of judgment, and made per- 
fectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all 
eternity. 

39. What is the duty which God requireth 
of man ? 

The duty which God requireth of man is 
obedience to his revealed will. 

40. What did God at first reveal to man for 
the rule of his obedience ? 

The rule which God at first revealed to man 
for his obedience was the moral law. 

41. Wherein is the moral law summarily 
comprehended ? 

The moral law is summarily comprehended 
in the ten commandments. 

42. What is the sum of the ten command- 
ments ? 

The sum of the ten commandments is, To 



THE CHURCH. 81 



The Shorter Catechism. 



love the Lord our God with all our heart, with 
all our soul, with all our strength, and with all 
our mind ; and our neighbor as ourselves. 

43. What is the preface to the ten command- 
ments ? 

The preface to the ten commandments is in 
these words : I am the Lord thy God, which have 
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of 
the house of bondage. 

44. What doth the preface to the ten com- 
mandments teach us ? 

The preface to the ten commandments teach- 
eth us that because God is the Lord, and our 
God and Eedeemer, therefore we are bound to 
keep all his commandments. 

45. Which is the first commandment ? 

The first commandment is, Thou shalt have 
no other Gods before me. 

46. What is required in the first command- 
ment? 

The first commandment requireth us to know 
and acknowledge God to be the only true God, 
and our God, and to worship and glorify him 
accordingly. 

47. What is forbidden in the first command- 
ment? 

The first commandment forbiddeth the deny- 
F 



82 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

The Shorter Catechism. 

ing, or not worshiping and glorifying the true 
God as God, and our God, and the giving of 
that worship and glory to any other which is 
due to him alone. 

48. What are we specially taught by these 
words " before me" in the first commandment? 

These words " before me" in the first com- 
mandment teach us that God, who seeth all 
things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased 
with the sin of having any other God. 

49. Which is the second commandment? 
The second commandment is, Thou shalt not 

make unto thee any graven image, or any like- 
ness of any thing that is in heaven above, or 
that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the 
water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow 
down thyself to them, nor serve them ; for I 
the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting 
the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, 
unto the third and fourth generation of them 
that hate me ; and showing mercy unto thou- 
sands of them that love me and keep my com- 
mandments. 

50. What is required in the second com- 
mandment ? 

The second commandment requireth the re- 
ceiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire 



THE CHURCH. 83 



The Shorter Catechism. 



all such religious worship and ordinances as God 
hath appointed in his Word. 

51. What is forbidden in the second com- 
mandment ? 

The second commandment forbiddeth the 
worshiping of God by images, or any other way 
not appointed in his Word. 

52. What are the reasons annexed to the sec- 
ond commandment? 

The reasons annexed to the second command- 
ment are God's sovereignty over us, his proprie- 
ty in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship. 

53. Which is the third commandment ? 
The third commandment is, Thou shalt not 

take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ; 
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that 
taketh his name in vain. 

54. What is required in the third command- 
ment? 

The third commandment requireth the holy 
and reverent use of God's names, titles, attri- 
butes, ordinances, Word, and works. 

55. What is forbidden in the third command- 
ment ? 

The third commandment forbiddeth all pro- 
faning or abusing of any thing whereby God 
maketh himself known. 



81 the Presbyterian's hand-b0ok. 

The Shorter Catechism. 

56. What is the reason annexed to the third 
commandment ? 

The reason annexed to the third command- 
ment is, that however the breakers of this com- 
mandment may escape punishment from men, 
yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to 
escape his righteous judgment. 

57. "Which is the fourth commandment? 
The fourth commandment is, Remember the 

Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
thou labor and do all thy work ; but the sev- 
enth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God ; 
in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy 
son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy 
maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger 
that is within thy gates ; for in six days the 
Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all 
that in them is, and rested the seventh day ; 
wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, 
and hallowed it. 

58. What is required in the fourth command- 
ment? 

The fourth commandment requireth the keep- 
ing holy to God such set times as he hath ap- 
pointed in his Word ; expressly one whole day 
in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to himself. 

59. Which day of the seven hath God ap- 
pointed to be the weekly Sabbath ? 



THE CHURCH. 85 



The Shorter Catechism. 



From the beginning of the world to the res- 
urrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh 
day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath, and 
the first day of the week ever since, to continue 
to the end of the world, which is the Christian 
Sabbath. 

60. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified ? 
The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy 

resting all that day, even from such worldly 
employments and recreations as are lawful on 
other days ; and spending the whole time in the 
public and private exercises of God's worship, 
except so much as is to be taken up in the 
works of necessity and mercy. 

61. What is forbidden in the fourth com- 
mandment ? 

The fourth commandment forbiddeth the 
omission or careless performance of the duties 
required, and the profaning the day by idleness, 
or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by un- 
necessary thoughts, words, or works about our 
worldly employments or recreations. 

62. What are the reasons annexed to the 
fourth commandment ? 

The reasons annexed to the fourth command- 
ment are God's allowing us six days of the week 
for our own employments, his challenging a spe- 



86 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

The Shorter Catechism. 

cial propriety in the seventh, his own example, 
and his blessing the Sabbath day. 

63. Which is the fifth commandment ? 
The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father 

and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon 
the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 

64. What is required in the fifth command- 
ment? 

The fifth commandment requireth the pre- 
serving the honor of, and performing the duties 
belonging to every one in their several places 
and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. 

65. What is forbidden in the fifth command- 
ment? 

The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neg- 
lecting of, or doing any thing against the honor 
and duty which belongeth to every one in their 
several places and relations. 

66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth 
commandment? 

The reason annexed to the fifth command- 
ment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as 
far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own 
good) to all such as keep this commandment. 

67. Which is the sixth commandment ? 
The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not 

kill. 



THE CHURCH. 87 



The Shorter Catechism. 



68. What is required in the sixth command- 
ment? 

The sixth commandment requireth all lawful 
endeavors to preserve our own life and the life 
of others. 

69. What is forbidden in the sixth command- 
ment? 

The sixth commandment forbiddeth the tak- 
ing away of our own life, or the life of our neigh- 
bor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. 

70. Which is the seventh commandment ? 
The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt 

not commit adultery. 

71. What is required in the seventh com- 
mandment ? 

The seventh commandment requireth the 
preservation of our own and our neighbor's 
chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior. 

72. What is forbidden in the seventh com- 
mandment ? 

The seventh commandment forbiddeth all 
unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. 

73. Which is the eighth commandment ? 
The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not 

steal. 

74. What is required in the eighth command- 
ment? 



88 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
The Shorter Catechism. 

The eighth, commandment requireth the law- 
ful procuring and furthering the wealth and out- 
ward estate of ourselves and others. 

75. What is forbidden in the eighth com- 
mandment ? 

The eighth commandment forbiddeth what- 
soever doth or may -unjustly hinder our own 
or our neighbor's wealth or outward estate. 

76. Which is the ninth commandment ? 
The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not 

bear false witness against thy neighbor. 

77. What is required in the ninth command- 
ment? 

The ninth commandment requireth the main- 
taining and promoting of truth between man 
and man, and of our own and our neighbor's 
good name, especially in witness-bearing. 

78. What is forbidden in the ninth com- 
mandment ? 

The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatso- 
ever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our 
own or our neighbor's good name. 

79. Which is the tenth commandment ? 
The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not 

covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not cov- 
et thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor 
his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor 
any thing that is thy neighbor's. 



THE CHURCH. 89 



The Shorter Catechism. 



80. What is required in the tenth command- 
ment? 

The tenth commandment requireth full con- 
tentment with our own condition, with a right 
and charitable frame of spirit toward our neigh- 
bor, and all that is his. 

81. What is forbidden in the tenth command- 
ment? 

The tenth commandment forbiddeth all dis- 
contentment with our own estate, envying or 
grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all 
inordinate motions and affections to any thing 
that is his. 

82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the 
commandments of God ? 

No mere man, since the fall, is able in this 
life perfectly to keep the commandments of 
God, but doth daily break them in thought, 
word, and deed. 

83. Are all transgressions of the law equally 
heinous ? 

Some sins in themselves, and by reason of 
several aggravations, are more heinous in the 
sight of God than others. 

84. What doth every sin deserve ? 

Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse, 
both in this life and that which is to come. 



90 THE Presbyterian's hand-book. 

The Shorter Catechism. 

85. What dotli God require of us that we 
may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for 
sin? 

To escape the wrath and curse of God due 
to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus 
Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use 
of all the outward means whereby Christ com- 
municateth to us the benefits of redemption. 

86. "What is faith in Jesus Christ ? 

Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, where- 
by we receive and rest upon him alone for sal- 
vation, as he is offered to us in the Gospel. 

87. What is repentance unto life ? 

Eepentance unto life s a saving grace, where- 
by a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and 
apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, 
doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from 
it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor 
after, new obedience. 

88. What are the outward and ordinary 
means whereby Christ communicateth to us the 
benefits of redemption ? 

The outward and ordinary means whereby 
Christ communicateth to us the benefits of re- 
demption, are his ordinances, especially the 
Word, sacraments, and prayer ; all which are 
made effectual to the elect for salvation. 



THE CHURCH. 91 



The Shorter Catechism. 



89. How is the Word made effectual to sal- 
vation ? 

The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but 
especially the preaching of the "Word, an effect- 
ual means of convincing and converting sinners, 
and of building them "up in holiness and com- 
fort through faith unto salvation. 

90. How is the Word to be read and heard, 
that it may become effectual to salvation ? 

That the Word may become effectual to sal- 
vation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, 
preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith 
and love ; lay it up in our hearts, and practice 
it in our lives. 

91. How do the sacraments become effectual 
means of salvation ? 

The sacraments become effectual means of 
salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in 
him that doth administer them, but only by the 
blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spir- 
it in them that by faith receive them. 

92. What is a sacrament ? 

A sacrament is a holy ordinance, instituted 
by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ and 
the benefits of the new covenant are represent- 
ed, sealed, and applied to believers. 

98. Which are the sacraments of the New 
Testament? 



92 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

The Shorter Catechism. 



The sacraments of the Kew Testament are 
baptism and the Lord's Supper. 

9-i. What is baptism ? 

Baptism is a sacrament wherein the washing 
with water, in the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify 
and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partak- 
ing of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and 
our engagement to be the Lord's. 

95. To whom is baptism to be administered? 
Baptism is not to be administered to any that 

are out of the visible Church till they profess 
their faith in Christ, and obedience to him ; but 
the infants of such as are members of the visi- 
ble Church are to be baptized. 

96. What is the Lord's Supper? 

The Lord's Supper is a sacrament wherein, 
by giving and receiving bread and wine ac- 
cording to Christ's appointment, his death is 
showed forth, and the worthy receivers are, not 
after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, 
made partakers of his body and blood, with all 
his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and 
growth in grace. 

97. What is required to the worthy receiv- 
ing of the Lord's Supper ? 

It is required of them that would worthily 



THE CHUKCH. 98 



The Shorter Catechism. 



partake of the Lord's Supper, that they exam- 
ine themselves of their knowledge to discern 
the Lord's body, and of their faith to feed upon 
him, of their repentance, love, and new obedi- 
ence; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and 
drink judgment to themselves. 

98. What is prayer ? 

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto 
God for things agreeable to his will, in the name 
of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thank- 
ful acknowledgment of his mercies. 

99. "What rule hath God given for our direc- 
tion in prayer ? 

The whole Word of God is of use to direct 
us in prayer ; but the special rule of direction 
is that form of prayer which Christ taught his 
disciples, commonly called the Lord's Prayer. 

100. What doth the preface of the Lord's 
Prayer teach us ? 

The preface of the Lord's Prayer (which is, 
Our Father which art in heaven) teacheth us to 
draw near to God, with all holy reverence and 
confidence, as children to a father, able and 
ready to help us ; and that we should pray with 
and for others. 

101. What do we pray for in the first peti- 
tion ? 



94 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

The Shorter Catechism. 

Iii the first petition (which is, Hallowed be 
thy name) we pray that God would enable ns 
and others to glorify him in all that whereby 
he maketh himself known, and that he would 
dispose all things to his own glory. 

102. What do we pray for in the second pe- 
tition ? 

In the second petition (which is, Thy king- 
dom come) we pray that Satan's kingdom may 
be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace 
may be advanced, ourselves and others brought 
into it, and kept in it, and that the kingdom of 
glory may be hastened. 

103. What do we pray for in the third peti- 
tion ? 

In the third petition (which is, Thy will be 
done in earth, as it is in heaven) we pray that 
God, by his grace, would make us able and will- 
ing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all 
things, as the angels do in heaven. 

104. What do we pray for in the fourth pe- 
tition ? 

In the fourth petition (which is, Give us this 
day our daily bread) we pray that of God's free 
gift we may receive a competent portion of the 
good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing 
with them. 



THE CHUECH. 95 



The Shorter Catechism. 



105. "What do we pray for in the fifth peti- 
tion? 

In the fifth petition (which is, And forgive 
us our debts, as we forgive our debtors) we pray- 
that God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon 
all our sins ; which we are the rather encour- 
aged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled 
from the heart to forgive others. 

106. What do we pray for in the sixth peti- 
tion? 

In the sixth petition (which is, And lead us 
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil) 
we pray that God would either keep us from 
being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us 
when we are tempted. 

107. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's 
Prayer teach us ? 

The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer (which 
is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory forever. Amen) teacheth us to 
take our encouragement in prayer from God 
only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascrib- 
ing kingdom, power, and glory to him. And 
in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be 
heard, we say Amen. 



96 THE Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Catechism of Biblical Chronology. 



CATECHISM OP BIBLICAL CHKO- 
NOLOGY. 

It is deemed important to implant very early 
in the minds of children some knowledge of 
sacred chronology; and as dates are with dif- 
ficulty so fixed in the mind as to render them 
permanent, there are here furnished two mne- 
monical tables to which is appended a brief 
chronological catechism. To this it is obvi- 
ous that the parent or teacher may add more 
extended instruction after the same general 
method. In the subjoined tables, the left-hand 
column indicates a few important dates in 
round numbers, the right-hand column giving 
the corresponding exact dates. The former 
are sufficiently near to accuracy to answer all 
practical purposes, and should be perfectly 
fixed in the memory. 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE— NO. 1. 



Eound numbers. 
B.C. 
4000 years. 
2350 
2000 
1500 
1000 
500 
O 



ADAM... , 

FLOOD 

ABE AH AM (birth) 

MOSES (receives the law) 
SOLOMON'S TEMPLE . 

SECOND TEMPLE 

CHRIST (birth) 



Exact dates. 
B.C. 

4004 years. 
2348 
1996 
1491 
1004 
515 







THE CHURCH. 



97 



Catechism of Biblical Chronology. 



TABLE NO. 2. 

THE EIGHT PERIODS OF SACRED HISTORY. 



Round 

1650 

4-00 


Nos. 

jrrs. 


400 


cc 


400 


u 


500 


a 


250 


a 


200 


a 


150 


a 



1. Antediluvian — Creation to Flood... 

2. The Period of the Dispersion — 
Flood to the call of Abraham 

3. The Patriarchal — The call to the 
Exode 

4. The Period of the Judges — Exode 
to King Saul 

5. The Monarchical — Saul to the end 
of the Monarchy 

6. The Persian — Monarchy to Alex- 

ander 

7. The Grecian — Alexander to the Ro- 

man Conquest 

8. The Roman— To the birth of Christ.. 



Exact Nos. 

1656 yrs. 

427 



430 
396 
507 
258 
184 
146 



1. How long was it from Adam to Christ? 
4000 years. 

2. How long from Adam to Abraham ? 
2000 years. 

3. How long from Abraham to Christ ? 
2000 years. 

4. What is halfway from Adam to Christ? 
Abraham. 

5. How long was it from Abraham to Solo- 
mon's Temple ? 

1000 years. 

6. How long from Abraham to Moses ? 
500 years. 

7. How long from Moses to Solomon's Tem- 
ple? 

G 



98 THE pkesbyterian's hand-book. 

Catechism of Biblical Chronology. 

500 years. 

8. What is half way from Abraham to Sol- 
omon's Temple ? 

Moses. 

9. How long from Solomon's Temple to 
Christ? 

1000 years. 

10. How long from Solomon's Temple to 
the Second Temple ? 

500 years. 

11. How long from the Second Temple to 
Christ? 

500 years. 

12. What is half way from Solomon's Tem- 
ple to Christ ? 

The Second Temple. 

13. How many periods are there in sacred 
history ? 

Eight. 

14. What is the Antediluvian period, and 
how long is it ? 

1650 years. 

15. What is the period of the dispersion, 
and how long is it ? 

400 years. 

16. What is the Patriarchal period, and how 
long is it ? 



THE CHURCH. 99 



Catechism of Biblical Chronology. 



400 years. 

17. What is the period of the Judges, and 
how long is it ? 

400 years. 

18. What is the Monarchical period, and 
how long is it? 

500 years. 

19. What is the Persian period, and how 
long is it ? 

250 years. 

20. What is the Grecian period, and how 
long is it ? 

200 years. 

21. What is the Eoman period, and how 
long is it ? 

150 years. 

The memory may be aided by requiring the 
answers in centuries. Thus it will be seen 
that in the eight periods, the first is sixteen 
centuries and a half; the next three are four 
centuries each ; the next is five centuries ; the 
next three begin with half of the period next 
preceding, and fall off by half a century as 
they go forward. They are respectively two 
and a half, two, and one and a half. 

It is obvious that parents and teachers may 



100 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Prayers for Children. 

extend these instructions, in preparing the 
minds of the young to study the Bible with 
profit, by fixing in the memory the order of 
the sacred books, with their general import, 
and the names of their respective authors. 

PBAYEES FOE CHILDEEX. 

MORNING PRAYER. 

Lord, thou art great and good. Thou hast 
made me and kept me alive, and from thee 
comes every good gift. I thank thee for tak- 
ing care of me, and giving me sleep, and wak- 
ing me to see this new day. I am a sinful 
child. Forgive me, my heavenly Father, and 
give me a new heart. Make me afraid to do 
wrong and sin against thee. Help me to love 
and serve thee to-day. Grant thy blessing upon 
my dear parents, my brothers and sisters, and 
all my relatives and friends, that we may at 
last meet in heaven, for Jesus' sake. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. 

EVENING PRAYER. 

God, my heavenly Father, I thank thee for 

thy kind care of me to-day. I beg of thee to 

forgive all my sins. Create in me a clean heart, 

and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Bless 



THE CHURCH. 101 



Morning prayer for the family. 



my dear father and mother, my brothers and 
sisters, and relatives, and all that are in this 
house. Give us quiet sleep, and bring us to 
another day in safety ; and save us at last, for 
the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
Our Father, etc. 

MOENING PEAYEE FOE THE FAMILY. 

O Lord God, most merciful and gracious, thy 
name is excellent in all the earth ; thou hast 
set thy glory above the heavens. Thou art 
worthy to be praised by all saints and angels, 
for thou hast made all things, and for thy pleas- 
ure they are and were created. Thou hast wise- 
ly and sweetly united thy glory with our duty 
and happiness. Thou hast formed us to show 
forth thy praise, and, in doing so, to enjoy thy 
favor. 

Yet we must humbly acknowledge and con- 
fess that we have not rendered to thee that wor- 
ship which is thy due. While thou hast been 
mindful of our wants, we have been forgetful 
of thee. Thy mercies have too often been re- 
quited with ingratitude and rebellion. Thy pre- 
serving care which we have every day experi- 
enced, the multiplied gifts of thy bounty, and 
the tender compassion of our blessed Saviour, 



102 THE PRESBYTERIAX'S HAND-BOOK. 



Morning prayer for the family. 



have failed to awaken within our bosoms those 
sentiments of continued thankfulness and love 
which ought to characterize the disciples of the 
Lord Jesus. We are miserable sinners. We 
deplore deeply our numerous offenses, our hard- 
ness of heart, our insensibility to things spirit- 
ual and heavenly. We desire to pour out our 
souls before thee in humble supplication. Be 
pleased to give us true repentance for all our 
offenses, to humble us deeply under a sense of 
our sin, and for thy dear Son's sake to absolve 
lis from its guilt. 

Strengthen us, Lord, with might by thy 
Spirit in the inner man, to make us more watch- 
ful against the workings of inbred corruption. 
Help us to gain the victory over the tempta- 
tions of our adversary and the allurements of 
this sinful world. Through thy grace assisting 
us, may we subdue every vicious inclination and 
correct every evil habit. May the perfect ex- 
ample of our Redeemer be always before us. 
May we possess his meekness and gentleness in 
our social intercourse. May we exercise that 
sympathy with the poor and the afflicted which 
shone forth so conspicuously in his life. Like 
him may we go about doing good, and be con- 
tinually under the control of such principles 



THE CHURCH. 103 



Morning prayer for the family. 



and motives as shall render our ordinary em- 
ployments an acceptable service to tliee. In- 
crease our knowledge and faith, our fear and 
humility, our spirit of cheerful, loving obedi- 
ence. Let every grace of thy Holy Spirit dwell 
in us richly, that our lives may be " more com- 
fortable to ourselves, more profitable to others, 
and more to the glory of thy name." 

Grant that every member of this household 
may be a participant of thy heavenly grace ; 
may be found always walking in the path of 
duty, fearing God and working righteousness. 
Let the calling and election of each one thus be 
rendered sure, so that when all earthly things 
shall fail, thou mayest be the strength of our 
heart and our portion forever. Impart to our 
beloved friends and relatives thy richest mer- 
cies, and especially those gifts and graces which 
are indispensable to their spiritual well-being. 
Let the poor, the sick, the bereaved, and all af- 
flicted persons share in thy fatherly care, and 
be comforted by thy Holy Spirit. 

We bless thee for the preservation of the last 
night, and for the rest and refreshment which 
thou hast given us. Eenew thy mercies, we be- 
seech thee, with this new day. Lift up the light 
of thy countenance upon us, and gladden our 



104 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Evening prayer for the family. 

hearts with the tokens of thy love. Be with 
us to bless and prosper us in our affairs, and 
help us to do something for the advancement 
of true religion in the world. Let every day 
be marked by indications of the progress of 
Christ's kingdom, till it shall grow and fill the 
earth. Help us to walk with thee, by the con- 
tinual exercise of a prayerful spirit and by holy 
meditation, that, delighting ourselves in the 
Lord, thou mayest give us the desires of our 
heart. Oh ! sanctify our souls by thy Holy Spir- 
it, and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed 
Eedeemer, hear and answer us. 

Our Father which art in heaven, etc. 

EVENING PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY. 

Infinite and eternal Creator, King of heaven 
and earth, thou art our Maker. Thou uphold- 
est all things by thy power. Thou earnest for- 
ward thy great purposes with resistless might, 
and by means and processes that are inscruta- 
ble. Thou makest darkness thy secret place ; 
thy pavilion round about thee is dark waters 
and thick clouds of the skies. Yet we are per- 
mitted to see some glimpses of thy holy perfec- 
tions in the things which thou hast made. The 
heavens declare thy glory, and the firmament 



THE CHURCH. 105 



Evening prayer for the family. 



showeth thy handiwork. Day unto day utter- 
eth speech, and night unto night showeth knowl- 
edge. But thou hast revealed thyself to us more 
clearly in the face of Jesus Christ, whose bless- 
ed teachings are enforced by his perfect exam- 
ple. His sufferings and death, his resurrection 
and priestly intercession, awaken within us sen- 
timents of wonder, of gratitude, and faith, and 
fill our souls with the hope of a blissful immor- 
tality. 

We praise thee for these manifestations of 
thy glory. We thank thee for thy holy law 
and thy precious Gospel. We call upon our 
souls and all that is within us to bless thee for 
the ample supplies of thy bounty and the rich 
provisions of thy grace. 

Yet we deplore before thee, Lord, our many 
sins, and those deep inward pollutions that 
render us so unfit for thy worship. We are 
ashamed and confounded when we think of the 
number and the aggravations of our offenses. 
Pardon our sins through Jesus Christ; sanc- 
tify our natures by thy Holy Spirit, and cause 
our souls to fall down with the greatest humil- 
ity at the footstool of thy throne, continually 
entreating thy mercy, and constantly ascribing 
to thee glory. Our praises add nothing to thee ; 



106 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Evening prayer for the family. 

but they exalt us, enhance our happiness, and 
unite us with the society of angels. Yet thou 
receivest our praises as an acceptable sacrifice. 
Grant that we may celebrate thee, O Lord, who 
art great, and greatly to be praised. Let all 
nations praise thee, from the rising of the sun 
to the going down of the same. Set our hearts 
on fire with the flames of thy divine love, that 
they may wholly ascend to thee as burnt-offer- 
ings, and nothing of ours may remain with us. 
Let our love of the world be exchanged for the 
love of thy infinite beauty. Let our will centre 
in thine, and be altogether absorbed by it. Let 
this change, gracious Father, be speedily ef- 
fected within us, for it can be wrought by noth- 
ing less than the power of thy hand ; and as 
soon as our souls are made sensible of it, thy 
praise shall be evermore sounded within us, as 
in temples devoted to thy service. 

Let covenant mercies descend perpetually on 
this household, and every member of it be thine. 
Guard and protect us in our defenseless slum- 
bers, and cause us to awake to a new day, re- 
freshed and prepared for serving thee in new- 
ness of life ; and let the same fatherly care be 
bestowed upon our absent relatives and friends. 

Bless all the sick with healing mercies, or the 



THE CHURCH. 107 



A family prayer for Sunday morning. 



comfortable supports of thy grace. Supply the 
wants of the poor and needy ; and prepare us 
and all thy holy Church for thy kingdom of 
glory. Grant thy blessing upon thy ministers 
and the missionaries of the cross, and fill the 
earth with thy salvation, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

A PEAYER FOR SUNDAY MORNING. 

Jenks. — {Adapted.) 

O most blessed and gracious Lord our God, 
whose almighty hand has brought us out of 
nothing to what we are, to see the light and 
enjoy the comforts of life, and whose free grace 
has called us out of a state of sin and ruin to 
the hope of thy heavenly glory, we bless thy 
name that thou hast conducted us safe through 
all states and events, and through all the trials 
and troubles in our lives, to see the comfortable 
light of this day ; and that we have yet a day 
of grace wherein to attend to the things belong- 
ing to our peace. We bless thee that thou hast 
consulted the good of our souls, as well as the 
glory of thy name, in setting apart this day for 
holy uses, to engage us to a solemn attendance 
upon the Lord, in whose service consists all our 
honor and happiness. Oh ! how much higher 



108 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

A family prayer for Sunday morning. 

might we have been in grace and thy blessed 
favor — how much nearer to thee our God, and 
fitter for thy heavenly kingdom, had we right- 
ly used and conscientiously improved those sea- 
sons and means of grace which thou hast been 
pleased to put into our hands for the best ad- 
vantage of our souls. 

But we have been unkind and cruel to our 
own souls, as well as disobedient and rebellious 
against our Lord ; many times frustrating the 
opportunities of appearing before thee ; shun- 
ning and neglecting the duties of thy holy serv- 
ice ; and even when we have set ourselves to 
seek thy face, it has been with such coldness, 
and dullness, and distraction, that thou might- 
est justly abhor our souls, despise our prayers, 
for any thing that there is in us or them to rec- 
ommend us to thy blessed favor and acceptance. 

But be thou pleased to look upon us in the 
Son of thy love, the Lord our peace and right- 
eousness, and forgive us all that is past where- 
in we have neglected thy work, or ill-perform- 
ed it, or done what is inconsistent with it. Help 
us, O God of our salvation, and deliver us from 
the burden of our guilt; and purge away all 
our sins for the glory of thy name, that they 
may not stand as a partition-wall to hinder the 



THE CHURCH. 109 



A family prayer for Sunday morning. 



desire of our souls from ascending up to thee, 
nor hinder the light of thy countenance from 
descending upon us. But let thy peace, and 
love, and favor shine on our souls, that we may 
see the felicity of thy chosen, and with joy draw 
water out of the wells of salvation. 

Oh ! let us not rest in any forms of godliness, 
denying the power thereof, nor take up with 
the name, and show, and the profession of Chris- 
tianity, but be swayed with its life, and power, 
and spirit, that the Gospel of our Lord, and the 
graces of the good Spirit of God, may shine forth 
in our lives, to the glory of thee our heavenly 
Father, and to the adorning of the doctrine of 
God our Saviour in all things. O gracious God, 
be with us, and with all the ministers and stew- 
ards of thy holy things, who are this day to 
speak thy Word to thy people, and furnish them 
with abilities suitable to their great work, that 
they may fitly apply themselves to the capaci- 
ties and to the necessities of their several hear- 
ers. And grant, Lord, unto us, and unto all the 
hearers of thy holy Word, humble and teach- 
able spirits, to receive thy truth in meekness, 
and in the love of it, so as to profit and grow by 
it. Oh ! do thou remove all the hinderances to 
our spiritual growth and improvement, that thy 



110 the Presbyterian's haxd-book. 

A family prayer for Sunday morning. 

^Vord may have free course, and be glorified 
among us. And let us this day go forth in the 
strength of the Lord God ; and prosper and in- 
crease with the increase of God, by thy grace 
and blessing accompanying our desires and en- 
deavors, till from serving thee imperfectly here 
upon earth, we may attain to glorify and enjoy 
thee, our God, in the perfection of holiness, and 
in those everlasting joys and glories of thy king- 
dom which thou hast prepared for them that 
love thee. 

Grant, we beseech thee, that thy blessing may 
rest upon our beloved country. Give grace to 
our President and his advisers, that the best in- 
terests of this nation may be secure, and that 
thy holy Church, in all its branches, may be 
abundantly prospered. Let the chief magis- 
trate of this commonwealth, and all our judges 
and officers of justice, be guided by gracious in- 
fluences from on high. Overrule all the com- 
motions and changes that are going on among 
the nations, for the furtherance of thy Gospel, 
and hasten the time when Christ shall have 
subjugated all the kingdoms of this world to 
himself. Hear us in these our requests, though 
we are most unworthy, for the sake of Jesus 
Christ our merciful Eedeemer, who has taught 
us to say, "Our Father, 77 etc. 



THE CHURCH. Ill 



A family prayer for Sunday evening. 



A PRAYEE FOE SUNDAY EVENING. 

Bickersteth. 

Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which 
was, and is, and art to come ! Thou art of purer 
eyes than to behold iniquity; thou chargest 
thine angels with folly, and in thy sight the 
heavens are not clean ; we approach thee, then, 
only in the name of Jesus Christ. 

We confess, Lord, how defective and de- 
filed all our services are. We acknowledge 
that our prayers are full of distractions. Our 
very petitions need thy pardon, our cold inter- 
cessions for others increase our own guilt, and 
our unworthy thanksgivings fall utterly short 
of thy great goodness to us. We carelessly and 
unbelievingly hear thy Word. All we do is 
polluted and sinful. Oh forgive us. Forgive 
the sins of solemn duties ; and let that great 
High-Priest, who is passed into the heavens, 
bearing the iniquities of our holy things, plead 
for us in thy sight. 

And grant, most merciful Lord, that it may 
not be in vain that we enjoy such distinguished 
privileges as thou hast given to us, lest it be 
more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the 
day of judgment than for us. Let not the seed 



112 THE PKESBYTEEIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
A family prayer for Sunday evening. 



of the Word of God, which has this day been 
sown in our hearts, be plucked away by Satan, 
lost through temptation, or choked with the 
cares of this life ; but, having heard it and re- 
ceived it, incline us to keep it, and do thou 
cause it to bring forth fruit an hundred fold. 

Grant that our lives may exhibit whose we 
are and whom we serve, remembering that if 
we know our Lord's will, and do it not, we shall 
justly have the severer punishment. We hum- 
bly beseech thee, strengthen our resolutions to 
live more decidedly to thee. We feel that we 
now have again to enter into the contest with 
our spiritual enemies ; make us more than con- 
querors through Him that loved us. We have 
again to exert ourselves to run the race set be- 
fore us; teach us ever to look unto Jesus as the 
author and finisher of our faith. Oh ! let us take 
the more earnest heed never to let slip the things 
which we have heard. 

And we pray for all those who have this day 
assembled before thee, and heard the word of 
salvation. Grant unto them the same mercies 
which we ask for ourselves. Let thy ministers, 
that water others, be themselves abundantly wa- 
tered in their own soul. Strengthen them for 
thy work, both in body and soul. 



THE CHURCH. 113 



A family prayer for Sunday evening. 



Remember in mercy those who by thy prov- 
idence have been kept from thy house, and let 
them receive a special supply of thy grace. 
Grant that those who have willfully or igno- 
rantly deprived themselves of public worship 
may have their eyes opened to see, and their 
hearts awakened to feel their guilt and their 
danger, and learn to flee from the wrath to 
come. Oh! hasten the time when thy house shall 
be a house of prayer for all nations, and the 
whole world shall worship in thy courts. 

Thanks be unto God for all the privileges of 
the past Sabbath. Blessed be thy name that 
we were permitted to hear thy Word, to join 
thy people in prayer and praise, and to enjoy 
so plentifully the means of grace. Blessed be 
our God for any thing of communion with him, 
or desire after him. Blessed be God if the grace 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, or his holy Word, be 
more understood or valued "by us. Our cup 
runneth over with mercies. 

O Lord, if, amid our infirmities, thy Sabbaths 
here below rejoice the heart; if to rest from 
earthly labors, and enjoy the privileges of thy 
house in this world be delightful, how should 
we thank thee for the prospect of an eternal 
Sabbath, where thy servants shall serve thee 
H 



114 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Blessing at the table. 

without one wandering thought, without weari- 
ness, and without distraction. Oh grant, in mer- 
cy grant, that none of those who have this day- 
met together in thy house may be wanting in 
the number of those who shall dwell in that 
house not made with hands, eternal in the heav- 
ens, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 
Our Father, etc. 

BLESSING AT THE TABLE. 

(Selected. ) 
I. 

Almighty God ! the eyes of all wait upon 
thee, and thou givest them their meat in due 
season. Bless, we beseech thee, the provisions 
of thine earthly bounty which are now before 
us ; and let them nourish and strengthen our 
frail bodies, that we may the better serve thee, 
through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

(Selected.) 

n. 

We bless thee, Lord, for this kind refresh- 
ment. Be pleased to continue thy favors, and 
feed us with the Bread of Life. Supply the wants 
of the needy, and enable us, while we live on 
thy bounty, to live to thy glory, for Christ's 
sake. Amen. 



PART IT. 
THE MINISTRY. 

CHAPTEE L 

DUTIES AND KESPONSIBILITIES OF DEACONS. 

"The Scriptures clearly point out deacons 
as distinct officers in the Church, whose busi- 
ness it is to take care of the poor, and to dis- 
tribute among them the collections which may 
be raised for their use."* 

The deacons must be male members in full 
communion with the Church, and should be 
chosen and ordained to their office in a similar 
manner to that observed in the case of elders. 

It is their duty to keep themselves accurate- 
ly informed of the circumstances of the more 
needy portion of the Church, so that modest 
and diffident members may not be left to suffer 
under misfortune, when kind and timely relief 
from their more prosperous fellow - disciples 
ought to be administered. 

* See Form of Government, Book I., Chap. vi. 



116 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Duties of deacons. 

The duties of deacons are delicate and diffi- 
cult. A peculiar tact is requisite to learn the 
necessities of the suffering, and to minister as- 
sistance in such a way that the self-respect of 
recipients shall not be injured, and also to with- 
hold aid where its bestowment will take away 
the stimulus to honorable and virtuous indus- 
try. A spirit of prayer and of generous sym- 
pathy belongs to the office, and he that thus 
uses it well secures for himself spiritual ad- 
vancement and energy — " purchases a good de- 
gree and great boldness in the faith." 



THE MINISTRY. 117 

Elders. Number. How chosen. 



CHAPTER II. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RULING 
ELDERS. 

"Ruling elders are properly the representa- 
tives of the people, chosen by them for the pur- 
pose of exercising government and discipline in 
conjunction with pastors or ministers."* 

The office of elder is " perpetual, and can not 
be laid aside at pleasure." It can be held only 
by " male members in full communion in the 
Church." 

Every Church has power to determine the 
number of its elders. The manner of choosing 
them in a Church already existing is to be that 
"most approved and in use" in that particular 
congregation. No definite rule is prescribed, 
however, for the guidance of new churches ; 
and it is a matter of importance, where this 
question is to be for the first time determined, 
to aim at securing a plan which it shall not be 
desirable to alter. 

In the chapter on the planting of churches 
* See Form of Government, Book L, Chap. v. 



118 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Elders. Election. The Session. 

two methods are suggested, both of which have 
the sanction of usage.* That which provides 
for a nomination of elders by a committee, con- 
sisting of an equal number from the Session 
and the Church, and for their subsequent elec- 
tion by ballot, is perhaps to be preferred. This 
mode gives the Session a large influence in se- 
curing such accessions as are agreeable to them- 
selves, while the preferences of the Church are 
properly consulted. We may add that this plan 
has been adopted by some congregations, and is 
approved by such as have been conferred with 
on the subject. 

In respect to the ordination of ruling elders, 
the provisions of our form of government are 
so ample and explicit that nothing needs to be 
added to the brief suggestions which we have 
given in another place. 

The pastor and elders in a particular congre- 
gation constitute the Church Session. Of this 
important body the pastor is the moderator. It 
is charged " with maintaining the spiritual gov- 
ernment of the congregation; for which purpose 
they have power to inquire into the knowledge 
and Christian conduct of the members of the 
Church ; to call before them offenders and wit- 

* ^See p. 34. 



THE MINISTRY. 119 

The Session. Qualifications of elders. 

nesses, being members of their own congrega- 
tion, and to introduce other witnesses where it 
may be necessary to bring the process to issue, 
and when they can be procured to attend ; to 
receive members into the Church ; to admon- 
ish, to rebuke, to suspend, or exclude from the 
sacraments those who are found to deserve cen- 
sure ; to concert the best measures for promote 
ing the spiritual interests of the congregation ; 
and to appoint delegates to the higher judica- 
tories of the Church." 

Eeferring, for the general principles which 
are to control their action, to the Constitution 
itself, we need only say that the right perform- 
ance of these responsible duties requires study, 
vigilance, and prayer. Dignity and gentleness 
ought to be united in those who hold the office 
of elder. Euling well, they secure to themselves 
double honor; and by their fidelity to Christ 
and his Church, they may do much to promote 
all the vital interests of religion. They ought, 
therefore, to make themselves familiar with the 
polity of the Church ; but chiefly and constant- 
ly must they resort, for illumination and direc- 
tion, to the sacred Scriptures, and to the prom- 
ised assistance of the Holy Spirit. 

It devolves on them to be the counselors of 



120 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Duties of elders. Visitation. 

the pastor, to constitute his defense and support, 
to extend toward him a tender sympathy, and 
to bestow their encouragement and aid upon 
him in the trials and duties of his position. 

They are the representatives of the Church 
in the Presbytery and Synod, and are called to 
act as commissioners from the Presbytery to the 
General Assembly. When duly appointed to 
attend the sessions of these bodies, they ought 
fully to recognize the importance of the duty 
laid upon them, and endeavor faithfully to per- 
form it. 

A constant intercourse with the flock is in- 
dispensable to an efficient influence on the part 
of the eldership, and to a proper discharge of 
their obligations. 

They ought especially to visit the members 
of the Church, and to become acquainted with 
them individually, so that they may promote 
their growth in piety by Christian conference 
and prayer, as well as compose any differences 
that may arise among brethren, or heal any 
spiritual maladies that would be aggravated 
by neglect. 

In order to secure this full superintendence, 
it has been recommended that a division of the 
names of the members be made into as many 



THE MINISTRY. 121 



Visitation. Hints on business. 

classes as there are elders, and after each class 
has been for a specified time under the care of 
the person to whom it was assigned, an exchange 
should be made of these spheres of oversight, 
till each one has in turn become acquainted with 
every class, and thus, in some degree, secured a 
personal knowledge of each individual commu- 
nicant. 

The elders ought also to be prepared to as- 
sist the pastor in catechising the children and 
youth ; to aid in the Sunday-schools and Bible- 
classes, and to conduct to edification the meet- 
ings for prayer. 

We append to this view of duty some 

HINTS ON THE FACILITATION OF BUSINESS. 

Every Church Session is obliged to present 
its minutes, at stated times, for review to the 
Presbytery with which it is connected. These 
minutes should be written in a clear, legible 
hand> with spaces between the records of dif- 
ferent meetings, and with marginal titles, to fa- 
cilitate reference to every important transaction. 
It is of much greater consequence to keep the 
minutes with neatness, and to make it perfectly 
easy to distinguish one meeting from another, 
and one transaction from another, than it is to 



122 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Rules for Records. 

economize room. Hence, also, each item of bus- 
iness should be placed in a distinct paragraph 
by itself. In referring to past transactions, the 
pages on which they are recorded should always 
be mentioned. The date of each meeting should 
be prefixed to the minutes of its proceedings, 
and the whole ought to be attested by the sig- 
nature of the clerk. It should be the care of 
this officer to keep the record-book written up, 
and to have it in readiness at the proper times 
for the inspection of the Presbytery. 

It is no small accomplishment to keep the 
records of a Church accurately and tastefully. 
To secure correctness, the following suggestions 
should be complied with : 

1. The opening and closing of each meeting 
with prayer should be expressly mentioned. 
When the Session meets immediately after Di- 
vine service, however, it is allowable to omit 
the opening prayer. 

2. The names of the moderator and elders 
present, and the names of those absent, should 
be recorded. 

3. Mention should be made of the reading 
and approval of the minutes of the previous 
meeting. No minutes should be engrossed un- 
til after their approval by the Session. 



THE MINISTRY. 123 

Rules for Records. 

4. In the record of a meeting, motions not 
carried, and matter not embraced in the trans- 
actions of that meeting, are not to be entered 
unless by direction of the Session, and when 
entered the minute should be prefaced with the 
words "recorded by order of Session," or others 
of a similar import. 

5. The fact of the administration of the Lord's 
Supper should be recorded by direction of the 
Session, at the meeting first succeeding that 
service. A record of baptisms may also prop- 
erly be made. 

6. The names of applicants for admission to 
the Church, and the places of their residence, 
should be mentioned in full, together with the 
vote of the Session in each case. 

7. Dismissions and deaths should be regular- 
ly reported and recorded. 

8. In cases of discipline, the minutes should 
take notice of every step in the process, as pre- 
scribed by the Book of Discipline. The testi- 
mony given by the witnesses is also to be care- 
fully preserved ; but this may be either spread 
upon the records, or kept on file among the pa- 
pers of the Session. 

An attention to these principles, and a care- 
ful statement, succinct and yet explicit, of every 



124 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Order of buisness. 

transaction, will save much trouble in consult- 
ing the minutes, and will add greatly to their 
historical value. The labors of the clerk will 
also be rendered easier, and the time of the 
Presbytery will be economized when the rec- 
ords are to be examined. 

Dispatch of business may be promoted by the 
adoption of judicious regulations to govern the 
proceedings of the Session. The rules append- 
ed to the Form of Government are not binding 
on our ecclesiastical bodies ; but each Session 
may adopt them so far as they are applicable, 
together with such others, not contrary to our 
government and discipline, as may be found 
expedient. 

It is frequently necessary for a pastor to con- 
vene the Session by special notice. But there 
is an advantage in providing also for stated 
meetings, as, for instance, at a specified time be- 
fore each communion season. The following 
or a similar order of business may be observ- 
ed: 

1. Prayer. 

2. Reading and approving the minutes. 

3. Reports of Committees. 

4. Unfinished business. 

5. New business. 

6. Adjournment and closing prayer. 



THE MINISTKY. 125 



Officers of Session. Delegates. 

When candidates for admission to the Church 
are present, their examination may be intro- 
duced at any point in the proceedings found 
most convenient. 

Each Session should have a clerk and treas- 
urer, who may hold their offices permanently, 
or be chosen every year. 

The treasurer should keep, in a book pro- 
vided for the purpose, an accurate account of 
all moneys passing through his hands. He 
should be authorized to pay the Sy nodical and 
Presbyterial assessments, and to provide for the 
expenses of the pastor and delegate in attend- 
ing the meetings of the Presbytery and Synod. 
He should also report, periodically, the receipts 
and disbursements of Sessional funds, and of 
the collections raised for benevolent purposes. 

Delegates to the higher judicatories of the 
Church, with alternates, should be appointed in 
season for the meetings of those bodies, and the 
fact of their election ought to be recorded in 
the minutes. When these arrangements are 
left to a private understanding, a much less re- 
sponsibility is apt to be felt in reference to the 
duty imposed than in the case of a formal elec- 
tion. 

It ought to be the care of the Session to in- 



126 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Absent members. Register. Collections. 

spect the Church register at brief intervals, in 
order that measures may be instituted for dis- 
covering absent members before* all traces of 
them are lost. 

Where any have been long absent, and can 
not be found after the most diligent inquiry, it 
is within the power of the Session to suspend 
them on such a statement of facts.* If at any 
time they should reappear, the Session, after 
proper investigation, may remove the suspen- 
sion, or proceed to discipline upon the merits 
of the case. 

It is most convenient to have printed forms 
for letters of dismission ; and to each of these, 
if preferred, a blank certificate of reception may 
be annexed, to be filled up and returned by the 
receiving Church. 

To avoid defacing the register in the case of 
dismissed, deceased, or excluded members, it is 
better to draw black or red lines under the 
names, or affix other signs, or simply to desig- 
nate the facts under the head of remarks, than 
to expunge the names themselves. 

A collection should be taken for the Com- 
missioners' Fund of the General Assembly or- 
dinarily not later than the first of May in each 

* Sec Minutes of General Assembly, 1825, p. 255, 256. 



THE MINISTRY. 127 

Statistical Reports. 

year ; and the same time may be chosen for so- 
liciting contributions to the treasury of the Ses- 
sion for their needful expenses. 

A statistical report is required of each Church 
by the Presbytery anriually, at its spring meet- 
ing. This report should be prepared by the pas- 
tor or clerk of Session, and should embrace the 
following items : 

1 . Number of communicants added on examination. 

2. Number of communicants added on certificate. 

3. Whole number of communicants. 

4. Number of adult baptisms. 

5. Number of infant baptisms. 

6. Amount contributed to the Assembly's Fund. 

7. Amount contributed to domestic missions. 

8. " " foreign missions. 

9. " " education. 
10. " " publication. 

All the objects of benevolence usually pre- 
sented to our congregations may be included 
under the four divisions above mentioned. 

The statistical report, when prepared, may be 
entered, by vote of the Session, on its records, 
and is useful for preservation. By referring to 
the whole number of communicants inserted in 
the last report, and then adding the number of 
new members, and subtracting the number of 
those dismissed, deceased, or excluded, it is the 



128 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

The Session. Books of Record. 

work of a few minutes only to determine the 
present number of Church members. 

A copy of the Form .of Government and of 
the Presbyterian Manual, both issued by our 
Publication Committee, should always be con- 
veniently accessible where the Session assem- 
bles for business ; and, indeed, it is very desira- 
ble that each member of the Session should 
possess both, for his own private study and 
general use. 

FORMS FOR BOOKS OF RECORD. 

It is very desirable that every Session should 
be provided with books, of ample size and con- 
venient arrangement, for the preservation of the 
Church statistics and the minutes of their own 
proceedings. 

Of these books one should be entitled "Rec- 
ords of Session." A quarto volume of from four 
to six quires will be found to be of an advan- 
tageous size. A marginal line should be ruled 
in red ink on each page, to secure the requisite 
space for entering the titles appropriate to the 
several transactions. Head-lines may be ruled 
if desired, and every page should be distinctly 
numbered, for the sake of conveniently refer- 
ring to any required minute. 



THE MINISTRY. 129 

Form for Church Register. 

A second book indispensable to the proper 
preservation of the statistics of a Church is de- 
nominated " The Church Register" and should 
be of a size and form corresponding to the book 
for minutes just described. It is well to have 
these books bound uniformly in a durable style, 
and made so large that the volumes will not 
accumulate too rapidly. Let each one, besides 
its title, have the name of the Church and the 
number of the volume printed on the back. 

The ruling of the Church Eegister differs in 
different parts, and care is needed in its arrange- 
ment, and in the assignment of the number of 
pages to each division. We give a description 
of a register which will be seen to answer all 
the purposes of such a book. It renders easy 
the work of keeping the statistics of the largest 
Church, and has been found perfectly satisfac- 
tory in actual practice. 

The Chronological Eegister must be taken as 
the basis of calculation. We will assume that 
room is provided for recording the names of 
3000 members. Allowing 27 names to a page, 
this will require 112 pages. The Alphabetical 
Eegister, intended for two columns of names on 
each page, may then be divided among the let- 
ters of the alphabet as follows : 
I 



130 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 



Form for Church Register. 


A 2, 


E 2, 12, M 10, Q 2, 


IT 2, 


B 6, 


F 4, J 2, N 2, E 4, 


V 2, 


C 8, 


G 4, K 2, 2, S 10, 


W 8, 


D4, 


H 8, L 4, P 4, T 2, 


Y2, 



Z 2. 

This will give 100 pages — more than would 
be needed for recording 3000 names seriatim, 
and yet none too many, when we consider that 
the proportion of names to each letter can not 
be previously determined with entire accuracy. 

The Eegister of Dismissions should number 
about 75 pages ; the Eegister of Deaths, 35; the 
Eegister of Baptisms, 100, arranged alphabetic- 
ally, according to the same classification as the 
alphabetical register of members ; and the Eeg- 
ister of Marriages, 80 pages. Besides these, there 
should be a Eegister of Pastors, occupying two 
pages, though constituting one record ; a Eeg- 
ister of Elders, embracing five pages, and an- 
other of Deacons of about the same extent. 
Such a book will need about six and a half 
quires of paper, and its cost will vary with the 
quality of the paper and the style of the bind- 
ing. It will be easy, from this description, to 
make a proper apportionment for volumes of 
smaller size. 

We proceed now to describe the ruling and 



THE MINISTRY. 131 

Form for Church Register. 

lettering of the register in the order of its de- 
partments. 

The Register of Pastors should have on the 
left a column headed "Date," arranged as is 
usual in account-books. Then should follow a 
broad column for the "Name," and a column 
like the first, with the lettering "When Install- 
ed ;" the rest of the page, with that opposite on. 
the right, should be left for "Eemarks." The 
record will then give the date of a pastor's call, 
his name, the time of his installation, and any 
historical remarks that may need to be append- 
ed in reference to the length of his ministry, 
his resignation, etc. 

The Register of Elders has each page complete 
in itself, as is the case with all the following di- 
visions of the book. It requires three columns, 
headed respectively "Date," " Name," and "Ee- 
marks." The Register of Deacons is precisely the 
same. 

The Alphabetical Register is intended to facil- 
itate reference to the catalogue of Church mem- 
bers. It requires two columns, a narrow one 
headed "Number," and a broad one for the 
" Name." Each page will allow two columns 
of entries. Every record is to be made with 
the surname first, in the order of admission, and 



182 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Form for Church Register. 

the number prefixed will direct to the proper 
place in the Chronological Eegister. This index 
should be lettered and cut on the edges. 

The Chronological Register gives each mem- 
ber's name in the order of admission, with the 
Christian name written first. The first column 
is lettered " Number," the second " When Ee- 
ceived," the third "Names," the fourth "Wife 
or Widow of," the fifth "How Eeceived," the 
sixth "Baptized," the seventh "Page of Eec* 
ord," and the last " Eemarks." It can be thus 
seen at a glance what number in the catalogue 
each member holds ; when he was received ; if 
a female, whether a wife or widow, and of whom ; 
the manner of reception ; whether baptized or 
not ; where recorded in the minutes of Session ; 
and, under the head of Eemarks, the time of dis- 
mission, decease, or exclusion. 

The Register of Dismissions contains four col- 
umns, headed "Number," "Name," " WhenDis- 
missed," and " To whom Dismissed." The first 
column is to show, not the number of dismis- 
sions, but the number by which each dismiss- 
ed person is designated on the general cata- 
logue. 

The Register of Deaths is divided into six col- 
umns, for the Number, Name, Date, Age, Place, 



THE MINISTRY. 138 

Form for Church Register. 

and Bernards, and is intended to record the 
deaths of members of the Church only. 

The Register of Infant Baptisms shows the 
"Date of Baptism," "Name of Child," "Time 
of Birth," and " Names of Parents." The pages 
should be cut and lettered as in the case of the 
Alphabetical Eegister of Members. 

The Eegister of Marriages will require an ar- 
rangement differing according to the laws of 
the States. In New York City it is necessary 
to record the date, place of marriage, names 
of parties, color, whether previously married, 
where born, age, residence, and witnesses. A 
column for the number of each marriage should 
occupy the first place. If all these particulars 
are not required, the number, date, place, names, 
residence, and witnesses should be specified. 
All the marriages performed by the pastor, 
whether of Church members or not, are to be 
entered. 

In all of these registers there should be dou- 
ble head-lines, above which should be printed 
the general title, as "Chronological Eegister of 
Church Members," while between the head-lines 
the titles of the different columns are inserted. 
No paging is required. 

The Church Eegister should be ordinarily in 



134 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Books of Record. 

the charge of the pastor, and if accurately kept 
it will give the necessary information as to the 
statistics of the Church with very little trouble 
of investigation. 

The only other important book is one for the 
treasurer of Session. This may be smaller than 
the others, and need not correspond with them 
in style. It should, nevertheless, not be too 
small, and should be a strong, durable, and 
neatly -bound volume." 55, 

* The plans above described have been adopted by Messrs. 
Nathan Lane & Co., stationers, No. 69 Wall Street, who have 
been accustomed to the manufacture of Church blank-books, 
and from whom they can be procured. 



THE MINISTRY. 135 



The pastoral office. Titles. 



CHAPTER III. 

DUTIES OF BISHOPS OK PASTOES. 

"The pastoral office" is justly esteemed 
among us as "the first in the Church, both for 
dignity and usefulness." The names by which 
those who exercise its functions are designated 
in the sacred Scriptures plainly indicate its ex- 
cellence and importance. Among these, the 
titles employed in the heading of this chapter 
are conspicuous and expressive. The bishop 
is the overseer of the flock, and this name is 
appropriately assigned to the pastor, as indica- 
tive of those functions which distinguish his 
office, while the latter term is no less happily 
adapted to denote another of his highest du- 
ties, that of feeding the flock, and exercising 
toward it all the tender solicitude of a shepherd. 
Christ has ennobled the pastoral work by set- 
ting himself before ns as the chief Shepherd, 
and by illustrating its duties in very striking 
and beautiful, similitudes. 

One who holds so high a position, who is 
both the teacher of the people and an example 



136 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Duties of pastors. 

to the flock, and yet, withal, needs to imitate 
the humility and patience of his divine Lord, 
can be furnished with no brief summary of his 
solemn duties. As an embassador for Christ, 
and steward of the mysteries of God, he must 
ever have recourse to the page of Eevelation 
and to communion with his Maker, that he 
may go forth to his work baptized continually 
afresh with the Spirit from on high. The rich 
counsels of the Scriptures furnish inexhausti- 
ble materials for reflection. These he can not 
study too diligently. Nor, as one who speaks 
for the great Head of the Church, can he too 
often seek divine direction, or those immediate 
communications of grace which shall produce 
an effect, as he appears before the people, an- 
alogous to that wrought on Moses when his 
face shone with unearthly radiance as he left 
the dread presence of his Maker. 

"Were our space most ample, therefore, we 
could give no complete view of ministerial du- 
ties. With our restricted limits we can refer 
only in brief terms to several great depart- 
ments of the work, with a view of suggesting 
the principal objects of practical interest, and 
as tending to farther inquiry and reflection. 

The official duties of a bishop may very 



THE MINISTRY. 137 



Duties of pastors. Preaching. 

naturally be made to fall into a twofold divis- 
ion, the work of Instruction and that of Pas- 
toral Labor. As associated with the former, 
we might properly consider the most suitable 
methods of conducting the various services of 
the congregation, and those belonging to less 
public occasions, but the extent of this subject 
requires that it be placed in a division by it- 
self. 

The first and highest of a minister's duties is 
to teach. This includes both preaching and 
catechising, upon each of which w T e may be- 
stow a few words. 

PREACHING. 

It is quite unnecessary for us to dwell upon 
points that are amply covered by the instruc- 
tions of the theological class-room. We desire 
rather to insist that the preaching of the Gos- 
pel of Christ shall be esteemed, by every pas- 
tor, the loftiest and noblest part of his sacred 
functions. He must guard against unconscious- 
ly depreciating the importance of this work. 
A regular and laborious preparation for his 
pulpit is obligatory upon every one who would 
magnify his office, and make full proof of his 
ministry. Let no one suppose that a careless 



188 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Preaching. Preparation. 

and unstudied proclamation of the truth will 
be sufficient, even though he preaches to the 
most uncultivated hearers. The glory of the 
Master whom he serves, and the dignity of the 
Word he utters, are to be the measure of his 
zeal and effort in setting forth the unsearcha- 
ble riches of Christ. He is to aim at complete- 
ness, clearness, and directness in his presenta- 
tions, seeking to arrest attention by his earnest 
and sincere manner, and to make the Gospel 
attractive that it may be profitable. We make 
no plea for sensational preaching. Every thing 
is to be avoided scrupulously in the pulpit that 
serves to hide the Cross and direct attention 
to the peculiarities of the speaker. But the 
preacher may have freshness without strange- 
ness, vivacity without frivolity, attraction with- 
out extravagance. His sole aim must be to set 
forth the truth for the truth's sake, and all the 
aids he may employ should be suited to the 
sacredness of his object and the holiness of 
God's sanctuary. He may bring forth things 
new as well as old, but both new and old must 
be the things that God has revealed. 

Let every pastor, then, whatever his posi- 
tion, prepare for his work of preaching week 
by week. Care will be needed in the selection 



THE MINISTRY. 139 

Selection of themes. Composition. 

of His theme, and this selection ought to be 
made early in the week; or, what is better 
still, subjects as they occur should be noted 
down, preserved, and thought over from time 
to time, that there may be always a store of 
topics on which the mind has dwelt with inter- 
est, presenting varied materials to the choice. 
A judicious variety ought to be observed in 
determining the themes of discourse — doctrin- 
al, practical, hortatory, emblematic, and narra- 
tive subjects being introduced, as may appear 
most for edification — though often the circum- 
stances of a congregation will seem to prescribe 
the particular drift of a discourse, and hence 
to designate the class of subjects to be drawn 
upon. 

A choice being effected, let the text be care- 
fully and critically studied. A man need be 
none the less earnest for being more exact. It 
is desirable that the work of composition be 
commenced not later than "Wednesday, and that 
the remainder of the week be devoted to the 
preparation of a single discourse. It may often 
happen that a minister, under peculiar pressure, 
will be able to do more than this ; but no one, 
careful of his health, and anxious to maintain 
a steady and permanent influence, will prefer 



140 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Proportioning study. Lectures. 

to preach two hastily-prepared sermons rath- 
er than one well-elaborated discourse. This 
needs particularly to be pressed on the atten- 
tion of those ministers who are stimulated by 
the ardor of youth to an amount of work be- 
fore which the overtaxed frame must by-and- 
by yield. Economy of strength is consistent 
with the most patient industry. And it is bet- 
ter for the pastor and the people that the former 
should preach every Lord's day one thorough- 
ly studied discourse, rather than two of a crude 
and superficial character, even though, for a 
second service, he must needs depend on a brief 
skeleton and extemporaneous delivery, or per- 
haps occasionally on the repetition of a previous 
sermon. A thoughtful congregation will al- 
ways be ready to indulge their minister in this 
respect, rather than be very exacting, knowing 
that such a course is by far the best for his 
own usefulness, and for their edification as well. 
Besides this, it must not be forgotten that the 
pastor has generally to prepare for a weekly 
lecture, which requires time and study; and 
has many other duties to perform, which, even 
though secondary to the work of preaching, are 
yet indispensable, and consume a large portion 
of each week. 



THE MINISTRY. 141 



Extemporaneous preaching. Exposition. 

A systematic preparation of only one ser- 
mon, moreover, has the effect of inducing the 
young pastor to undertake and persevere in the 
work of extemporaneous preaching, a familiar- 
ity with which will be of great value to him in 
various respects. 

A suggestion seems to be here in place re- 
specting the importance of expository preach- 
ing. The choice of a book of Scripture, to be 
expounded thoroughly, in successive weekly 
lectures, will be found advantageous in saving- 
time that would be otherwise consumed in 
selecting independent themes, and in furnish- 
ing a connected train of thought that will do 
much to facilitate study. But of far greater 
consequence is the discipline of mind it gives 
in the work of interpretation, the broad and 
correct views it secures, and the character of 
the instruction it imparts to those who hear. 
In no way, perhaps, can a congregation be bet- 
ter indoctrinated, or be more easily led to take 
an interest in the thorough study of the Word 
of Grod for themselves, than through the medi- 
um of careful and regular exposition in the 
pulpit. 

Yet it is an error to suppose that this style 
of preaching requires comparatively little ef- 



142 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Exposition. Books. 

fort. In certain respects which we have indi- 
cated, it saves both time and labor. But, in 
order to a large success, the most earnest and 
painstaking investigation will be found indis- 
pensable, while it can not fail to be amply rec- 
ompensed. 

Exposition ought not to be excluded from 
the pulpit on the Lord's day. The frequent 
selection of important extended paragraphs to 
be explained, or a series of expository dis- 
courses on some entire book of Scripture, care- 
fully studied and preached at brief intervals, 
can hardly fail to increase the influence of any 
pulpit. 

The first and last book which the pastor is to 
study is the Bible. Around this clusters a large 
array of valuable helps on every department 
of biblical and theological learning, to which 
constant accessions are being made. It would 
be almost impracticable to furnish any satisfac- 
tory list of works valuable for constituting a 
pastor's library. We append, however, to this 
chapter a catalogue of books having especial 
claims on the attention of young ministers just 
engaged in forming their selections, and anxious 
to gather about them at the outset a series of 
sterling and reliable works. This list, with the 



THE MINISTRY. 143 

Delivery of sermons. 

exception of a few names which we have add- 
ed, has been kindly furnished by an eminent 
professor in the Union Theological Seminary. 
We desire to urge, in connection with the 
paramount importance of thorough study, an 
attention to delivery. We would be far from 
advocating any effort, with respect either to 
composition or delivery, that shall have for its 
end the mere pleasing of the taste. The min- 
ister needs to study style, that he may express 
himself lucidly, compactly, and with nervous 
force. He should seek an animated and cor- 
rect delivery, that what he says may have all 
the effectiveness which oratory can give it. 
What object is worthy to engage our highest 
powers, in their most complete development, 
if not that holiest and most sacred work, the 
preaching of Christ crucified ? There is, doubt- 
less, a wide prejudice against a study of the 
arts of reading and delivery, founded on the 
misapprehension that the result will be an ar- 
tificial and constrained manner. It is, on the 
contrary, the ordinary, untrained manner of 
speakers that is apt to be artificial and con- 
strained. The true object and the legitimate 
result of study are the attainment of a real 
naturalness; and we are persuaded that no 



144 THE pkesbyterian's hand-book. 

Reading. Time for study. Meetings for prayer. 

minister who pursues the study of reading and 
delivery with any degree of thoroughness will 
regret the time thus spent. 

It is important to the gaining of the largest 
influence that the pastor, in subordination to 
his principal work, should pursue a course of 
general reading, that he may keep pace with 
the progress of literature and science. To this 
he may turn at intervals, as he becomes wearied 
with his more exhausting professional labors, 
and find in it both refreshment and instruction. 

To secure the best facilities for study, the 
pastor should be free from interruption during 
the morning hours of each day. He may easi- 
ly secure an understanding on this point with 
the people of his charge, and he should make 
arrangements to prevent being called from his 
study by others, unless for imperative reasons. 

It seems desirable that every pastor should 
generally, if not regularly, attend the stated 
meetings for prayer in his congregation. He 
may conduct these himself, or commit this re- 
sponsibility to the elders. The latter course 
accustoms them to a duty which befits their of- 
fice, and to which they are necessarily called in 
the pastor's absence. Nothing will be lost, but, 
on the contrary, much will be gained by mak- 



THE MINISTRY. 145 

Meetings for prayer. Mode of conducting them. 

ing special efforts to impart interest to these 
social services. No rules can be laid down for 
attaining this end. Brevity and variety, how- 
ever, should both be aimed at. The whole serv- 
ice should not be extended beyond reasonable 
limits, and each exercise should be short. Some- 
times the members of the Church may be left 
largely to their own promptings in the matter 
of taking part in the service, while at other 
times the pastor may call upon persons with 
whom he has previously conferred to speak 
briefly upon points which they have been led 
to study. Then, too, practical and doctrinal 
questions may be privately or anonymously 
proposed by those who need to have their 
doubts cleared up, and the solution of these 
may prove instructive to others besides those 
who originate the inquiries. Thus, by a little 
attention to variety, and by frequent consulta- 
tion on the part of the pastor with individuals, 
much may be done to infuse life and vigor into 
the meetings for prayer, without, at the same 
time, descending to any measure unsuited to the 
sacred character of a religious service. Some- 
thing, too, may be done toward developing any 
talent in the Church that has lain dormant, by 
organizing meetings for diffident persons and 
K 



146 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Catechising by the pastor. Its results. 

youthful communicants, where, apart from their 
brethren, they may accustom themselves to 
speak and pray. 

The second thing included in this department 
of ministerial labor is 

CATECHETICAL INSTRUCTION. 

It is something, it is much, that each child 
in the congregation should receive instruction 
from the very lips of his pastor. If the latter 
is brought thus into personal contact with the 
young, a peculiar weight and authority is im- 
parted to his teaching, and an influence of great 
consequence is secured through the personal 
friendship springing up between teacher and 
pupil. Moreover, as the instructions of the 
catechism are followed from step to step in or- 
der, and accompanied with ample explanations, 
the whole Christian system is passed through 
with. No doctrine or precept of the Gospel is 
neglected. The impressions thus secured from 
the completeness of catechetical instruction are 
invaluable. 

If this course is entered upon with young 
children, carrying them first through the Ini- 
tiatory Catechism, given in the previous part, 
a thorough Christian education may be secured 
in the term of six or eight vears. 



THE MINISTRY. 147 

Time for the work. Its method. Frequency. 

It is often asked how the pastor can find time 
for catechising the children, and what may be 
the appropriate seasons for the work. To these 
inquiries it may be answered, in the first place, 
that the work is of primary importance, and that 
the necessary time ought to be taken, and other 
engagements accommodated to this. The in- 
struction of the congregation, comprising a faith- 
ful public dispensing of the Gospel, and the cat- 
echising of the children, is the prime article of 
ministerial duty. " Feed my sheep," " Feed my 
lambs," are commands that must not be lightly 
esteemed. 

But when shall the work of catechising be 
done ? Doubtless at different times by different 
pastors and in different circumstances. Some 
have chosen to connect the work with the Sun- 
day-school, the pastor visiting the school and ex- 
amining it in the Catechism once a month, or at 
some stated time. This is certainly better than 
nothing. But there are advantages in having 
a separate class, in which the children go to 
their pastor for the express purpose of receiv- 
ing instruction from his lips. There is also an 
advantage in meeting once each week, that the 
influence of one exercise may not pass away 
before the time for another. If this demands 



L48 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

too much of the pastor s time, he may pursue a 
course of instruction for a few weeks, allowing 
a season of vacation, after which the work may 

A class for the young, including persons of 
middle age, may also be formed from time : 
time as a regular Bible-class, or for the purpose 
of pursuing some specific course of Christian 
study. In short, it will be found that the work 
of instructing the young in the things that con- 
cern their spiritual well-being will admit of 
great variety of ministerial labor. 

PASTORAL LABOR. 

Perhaps it is unnecessary to say more in re- 
gard to this topic than to specify a few things 
in respect to the measure of the work, and to 
insist that no part of it shall be neglected. 

The visitation of every family of the congre- 
gation is the duty of the pastor. If no higher 
end were achieved by this than furnishing a 
testimony that each family is thought of and 
cared for, the labor would be abundantly re- 
paid. Xor is it a small advantage that each 
hearer in the sanctuary should come to feel 
that he is from Sabbath to Sabbath addressed 
by his pastor, who is at the same time his ac- 
quaintance and personal friend. 



THE MINISTRY. 149 

Visitation. Visiting the Sunday-schools. 

More than this may be accomplished, as oc- 
casions may thus be afforded for presenting the 
claims of the Glospel to such persons individu- 
ally as may be ready to receive it ; and even 
where the minister does not feel at liberty to 
give his advice unasked, an opportunity may 
be secured to the parishioner for seeking the 
counsel of his pastor. In a small congregation, 
much may be accomplished by a free inter- 
course between the minister and his people; 
and perhaps in the largest churches not less 
should be expected than one call a year from 
the pastor on every family of his flock, and 
when prayer and spiritual conversation are ac- 
ceptable, they should not be neglected. 

In times of sickness and bereavement, or any 
other affliction, there should be a readiness to 
make seasonable visits, that the consolations of 
the Gospel may be administered ; and the peo- 
ple should be instructed to send for their min- 
ister with the utmost freedom in their seasons 
of trial. 

Under pastoral labor may be included also 
the frequent visitation of the Sunday-schools. 
Addresses to the children, or brief conferences 
with the teachers and pupils of the separate 
classes, will do much to endear the pastor to 



150 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Sunday-school visitation. Routine duties. 

his charge, and will furnish great encourage- 
ment to the superintendents and teachers. The 
members of the congregation will thus be stim- 
ulated to assist in the work, and opportunities 
may be secured for conference with those most 
interested in reference to the extension of Sun- 
day-school operations or the planting of new 
schools. 

But, whatever is undertaken by the pastor, it- 
is especially necessary to success in his work 
that every thing should be begun, continued, 
and ended in fervent prayer for the assistance 
of the Holy Spirit. 

A word will be sufficient in reference to 
those duties which are of inferior consequence 
in themselves, and yet, at the same time, are so 
important that they can not be neglected with- 
out directly or indirectly interfering with use- 
fulness. 

These, which may be distinguished as routine 
duties, embrace such things as punctuality and 
exactness in observing engagements and official 
calls, accuracy in keeping the Church statis- 
tics and the register of marriages, and regular- 
ity in attending the meetings of ecclesiastical 
bodies. Upon the latter point especially would 
we lay emphasis. It should be a settled thing 



THE MINISTRY. 151 

Ecclesiastical meetings. Health. 

with our ministers that the sessions of their 
Presbytery and Synod are to be uniformly at- 
tended, unless other duties interfere that very 
manifestly relieve them from the obligation. 
The presence and counsel of every member of 
these bodies are desirable. Each individual 
needs the influence of these ecclesiastical gath- 
erings on his own mind ; and it is to the ad- 
vantage of each Church that it should accord 
every facility to its pastor and representative 
from the Session for attending these periodi- 
cal meetings. It is hence advisable that our 
churches should uniformly adopt the rule of 
paying the expenses of their minister and elder 
to the Presbytery and Synod, whether these ex- 
penses be large or small. Such a course will 
promote punctuality, and also insure great effi- 
ciency in our denominational enterprises. 

It is not inappropriate to close these hints 
with an earnest appeal to ministers on the sub- 
ject of health. A youthful pastor, whose spir- 
its are buoyant and whose bodily vigor is un- 
impaired, is very apt to disregard exposures 
and labors that those in later life have learned 
to avoid ; and sometimes, through early impru- 
dence, the seeds of disease are planted, whose 
fruits afterward seriously interfere with useful- 



152 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Health. Exercise. Caution. 

ness. A constant care on this point need not 
detract from the utmost faithfulness in duty. 
Indeed, this is itself but a part, and no unim- 
portant part of duty. It is a Christian obliga- 
tion to use means to preserve the health. And 
the Apostle John expressed no unmeaning 
wish when he wrote to Gaius, " Beloved, I wish 
above all things that thou mayest prosper and 
be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 

The sedentary employments of the study 
operate unfavorably on the physical constitu- 
tion, unless properly counteracted ; and the ex- 
ercise obtained in ordinary pastoral visitation 
is scarcely sufficient for this purpose. There 
ought, therefore, to be some plan adopted by 
every pastor for securing healthful, vigorous 
exercise daily ; and this is no less useful to the 
mind, in diverting its thoughts from their ordi- 
nary channels, than it is to the body. 

Nor does it follow that an amount of labor 
which may be endured once, or for a little 
while, with apparent impunity, is therefore safe. 
A pastor may feel no bad result from preach- 
ing three sermons on the Lord's day now and 
then ; yet but few constitutions, probably, could 
withstand the wear resulting from a constant 
practice of this kind, to say nothing of the study 
requisite to support it. 



THE MINISTRY. 153 

Care of health. Life-assurance. 

Let every pastor, therefore, be watchful of 
his health. Let him see that every function of 
the body is undisturbed. Let him use judi- 
cious exercise systematically, and pay special 
attention to the training of the vocal organs 
and the lungs. Let him protect the passages to 
the throat with particular care after every ef- 
fort at speaking, and especially at night, wheth- 
er in winter or summer. And if he discovers 
any symptom of disease, however slight, let him 
seek medical advice without delay, that the evil 
may be arrested before it has become firmly 
seated in the system. 

The importance of this subject can scarcely 
be overestimated, and we may connect with it 
a single hint on the desirableness, to ministers, 
of life-assurance. The principles on which this 
business is carried on by our sound and respon- 
sible companies will bear investigation. The 
propriety of securing an insurance on one's life 
can need no argument at this late day, and the 
wisdom of it must become apparent on the least 
reflection. By attending to this matter at an 
early age, and while in good health, provision 
may be made for a family, available after the 
decease of its head, by the payment of quite a 
moderate annual sum, which, without the stim- 



154 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Congregational libraries. 

ulus of some such plan as this, would probably 
not be laid up at all, or if so, would be liable to 
be expended in any season of peculiar emer- 
gency. The knowledge that such a provision 
for a dependent family is made, will lighten 
many a care and prevent many an anxious 
thought. 

Whatever assists a pastor in the efficient per- 
formance of his duties may be fitly mentioned 
in this connection. We shall refer, however, 
to only a single object, that has been too little 
regarded in our various plans for advancing 
the cause of Christ. We allude to the estab- 
lishment of 

CONGREGATIONAL LIBRARIES. 

We recommend to pastors the importance 
of commencing an effort for the establishing 
of libraries, to be owned by the congregations, 
chiefly for the use of their ministers in all fu- 
ture time. Such an undertaking might be 
urged upon the people either when an individ- 
- ual of wealth has been induced to make a foun- 
dation for the work by a considerable donation, 
or at some favorable juncture for securing the 
co-operation of several persons. 

A plan imbodying the following statements 



THE MINISTRY. 155 

Plan for a library. 

and reasons for the effort would commend it- 
self to many of our churches, if it were oppor- 
tunely presented. 

PLAN FOR A LIBRARY. 

The library to be founded shall belong to 
the Presbyterian Church of A. B., and shall be 
controlled by the trustees in the same manner 
as the house of worship and other property is 
controlled. 

It shall be kept in a room in immediate con- 
nection with the church or chapel, or in some 
other eligible place especially prepared for its 
reception and preservation, and which may also 
be used as the pastor's study. 

The pastor shall be the librarian, and also 
the chairman of a committee of five persons, 
chosen by the trustees from their own number 
or the congregation, or both, one half annually, 
to take charge of the library. 

This committee shall appoint from their num- 
ber a secretary and a treasurer ; shall receive 
donations in money and books, and make pur- 
chases, reporting the result of their proceedings 
to the congregation at its annual meeting for 
the election of trustees. It may report also, at 
other times, when it shall deem that the inter- 



156 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Advantages of a library. 



ests of the library will be advanced by any 
presentation of its condition and claims to the 
people. Or there may very appropriately be an 
annual contribution solicited for the library, 
when all matters pertaining to it may be fully 
set forth. 

The library shall be for the special use of 
the minister ; but, through him, members of the 
congregation may have access to the same for 
consultation. 

Among the advantages of such a foundation 
we may enumerate the following : 

1. Our pastors, unless they happen to inherit 
ample means,.are scarcely ever able to purchase 
for themselves copies of the ancient Fathers and 
other costly works, to which it is very desira- 
ble that they should have easy access. These 
may be without difficulty obtained through the 
united efforts of a number. 

2. When the foundation for such a library 
is once laid, it may be built up by constant ac- 
cretions through a series of years ; and a pleas- 
ing opportunity will be thus afforded to men 
of letters and other friends to assist the Church 
by making such benefactions as shall accord 
with a cultivated taste, and exercise an influ- 
ence in attaching them and their families also 
to the congregation. 



THE MINISTRY. 157 

Recommendation of books. 

3. It will add to the reputation and influence 
of the congregation to make such provision for 
the growing scholarship of its pastors, and to fa- 
vor so strongly theological research and learn- 
ing. 

4. All other things being equal, a congrega- 
tion will be better instructed if its pastors have 
the use of such a library. 

5. The possession of such a library by the 
congregation furnishes a motive to an able and 
desirable minister to accept the pastoral charge 
when called to it. 

The list of works for pastors, with which this 
chapter is closed, embraces many of the most 
valuable in the several departments named. 
Very many others, however, not a few of them 
of great importance and celebrity, have been 
necessarily omitted. The following selection 
would constitute an excellent library of a very 
fair but moderate size. In each department 
we have distinguished several books by the use 
of capital letters. This has been done for the 
benefit of those who may wish to limit their 
expenditure to about one hundred dollars. The 
works so indicated will cost a minister about 
one hundred and fifty or sixty dollars ; but it 



158 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
List of books. 

is fair to presume that some of them, or their 
equivalents, to a third of this amount, have been 
already procured during the course of academic 
and theological study. In making so brief a 
selection from a catalogue already moderate in 
length, we have sought to secure variety as far 
as possible, and to recommend works of con- 
stant utility. The remainder of the list, of 
course, contains others not less valuable and 
worthy of commendation. And in a few in- 
stances, perhaps, we have passed by a more im- 
portant work for one of rather less conse- 
quence, where the price of the former has pre- 
cluded its introduction into the smaller list. 

SELECTION OF BOOKS. 
1. Biblical Literature, 

BlBLIA HEBRAICA. 

Septuagint. Latin Vulgate. 

Robinson's Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon. 

Hebrew Grammar (Gesenius or Nordheimer). 

Wm. Smith's Dictionary of the Bible. (Kitto.) 

Jahn's Biblical Archaeology. 

Jahn's Hebrew Commonwealth. 

Hug's Introduction to the New Testament. 

Home's Introduction (new edition). 

Coleman's Geography of the Bible. 

Findlay's or Butler's Classical Atlas. 

Mitchell's New Ancient Geography. 

Westcott's New Testament Canon. 



THE MINISTRY. 159 



List of books. 



M'Clelland on the Canon and Interpretation. 

New Testament (Hahn, Teschendorf ). 

New Testament Grammar (Winer). 

Robinson's Greek - English Lexicon of the New 

Testament. 
Fairbairn's Hermeneutical Manual. 
Annotated Paragraph Bible. 
Student's Bible. 
Cruden's Concordance. 
Scott's Commentary. 
Bagster's Analytic Hebrew Lexicon. 
The Land and the Book (Thomson). 
Fairbairn's Typology and Prophecy. 
Simmons' Manual. 
Robinson's Biblical Researches in Palestine. 

2. The Old Testament. 
Hengstenberg's Authenticity of the Pentateuch. 
Hengstenberg's Christology. 
Turner's Companion to Genesis. 
Bush's Notes. Bonar's Leviticus, 
Kings and Joshua : Keil. 

Psalms : Alexander. (Calvin, Tholuck, Hengstenberg.) 
Barnes' Notes on Job. 
Proverbs: Stuart. (Bridges.^) 
Ezekiel: Fairbairn. 
Isaiah: Alexander. (Barnes, Lowth.) 
Henderson's Minor Prophets. 
Stuart on the Old Testament. 
Havernich's Introduction to the Old Testament. 
Havernich's Introduction to the Pentateuch. 
Otto Van Gerlach's Pentateuch. 
Daniel: Barnes. (Stuart, Auberlen.) 



160 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

List of books. 

3. The New Testament. 
Bengel's Gnomon. 

Olshausen's Commentaries. 

Stier's Words of the Lord Jesus. 

Acts: Hackett. (Alexander.) 

Romans : Hodge. (Stuart, Tholuck, Chalmers, Turner.) 

Corinthians: Hodge. (Stanley.) 

Ephesians: Hodge. 

Philippians and Colossians: Eadie. 

Hebrews : Stuart. (Tholuck, Turner.) 

Peter : Leighton. (Brown.) 

Apocalypse : Stuart. 

Alford's Greek Testament. (Bloomfield.) 

Tholuck on the Sermon on the Mount, and John. 

Trench on the Parables. (Lisco.) 

Trench on the Miracles. 

Drummond on the Parables. 

Neander on Philippians, James, and John. 

Da Costa's Four Witnesses. 

Lee on Inspiration. 

Harmony of the Gospels: Robinson. 

Dr. John J. Owen on the Gospels. 

Alexander on Matthew and Mark. 

Barnes on the New Testament. (Jacobus.) 

Doddridge's Family Expositor. 

4. Systematic Theology, 
Dwight's Theology. Woods. 

Knapp, ed. by Woods. Edwards. Hopkins. 
Hill's Divinity. Richard's Lectures. 
Chalmers' Works. . Dick's Theology. 
N. W. Taylor. Payne. Wardlaw. 



THE MINISTRY. 161 

List of books. 

Pye Smith's Outlines, and Divinity of Christ. 
Pictet's Theology. Witsius. 
Miiller's Doctrine of Sin. 
Hall's Harmony of the Confessions. 
Cudworth. Bishop Bull. Schmucker. 
Pearson on the Creed. Tulloch's Theism. 
Burnet on the Thirty-nine Articles. 
Ridgeley's Divinity. "Watson. 
Charnock. Bellamy. Turretine. 
Canones et Decreta Concilii Tridentini. 
Catechismus Romanus. 
Augustine, De Doctrina Christi. 
Calvin's Institutes. Melancthon's Loci. 

5. Evidences, etc, 
Pascal's Thoughts. Paley's Evidences. 
Butler's Analogy. Whately's Evidences. 
M 'Cosh's Method of the Divine Government. 
Mark Hopkins' Lectures. Gregory's Letters. 
Bp. M'llvaine. Bp. Wilson. 
Leslie's Short Method with the Deists. 
Young's Christ op History. 
Restoration op Belief : Isaac Taylor. 
Rawlinson's Historical Evidences. 
Hitchcock's Geology. Dawes' Archaia. 
Bible and Science : Tayler Lewis. 
Bushnell's Nature and the Supernatural. 

6. Church History. 
Josephus. Eusebius. 
Kurtz' Sacred History. 
Kurtz' History of the Old Dispensation. 
Kurtz' History of the Church. 

L 



162 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

List of books. 

Smith's Sacred Annals. 

Prideaux. Shuckford. Mosheim. 

Gieseler's Church History. 

Neander's Church History. 

History of the Christian Church in Chronological 

Tables : H. B. Smith. 
Hagenbach's History of Doctrines. 
Neander's History of Doctrines. 
SchafF 's Apostolic Church. 
Hase's History of the Christian Church. 
D'Aubigne's Reformation. 
Neal's History of the Puritans. 
Tracy's Great Awakening. 
Herzog's Protestant Theological Encyclopedia, ed. by 

Bomberger. 
Coleman's Ancient Christianity exemplified. 
Rupp's History of all Denominations. 
Pope's Supremacy : Barrow. 
Dissuasion from Popery : Taylor. 
Schaff's History of the First Three Centuries. 

7. Practical, 
Porter's Commonplace Book. Porter's Manual. 
Baxter's Reformed Pastor. 
Confession of Faith and Form of Government. 
Presbyterian Manual. 
Hall's Sermons. Fosteriana. 
South' s Sermons. Jeremy Taylor. 
Bishop Hall's Scripture History. 
Augustine's Confessions. Owen. Howe. 
Taylor's Holy Living and Dying. 
Hodge's Way of Life. Chillingworth. 
Vinet's Pastoral Theology and Homiletics. 



THE MINISTRY. 163 



List of books. 



Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity. 
Litton's Church of Christ. 
Whately's Kingdom of Christ. 
Alexander's Primitive Church Offices. 
Barnes' Apostolic Church. Onderdonk. 
Coleman's Apostolic Church. 
King's Primitive Church. 
New Digest of the Assembly. 

8. History. 

Weber's Outlines. (Taylor, Wilson.) 

Oxford Chronological Tables. 

Rosse's Index of Dates, in Bohn's Library. 

Arnold's Lectures on Modern History. 

Kenrick's Egypt. Menzel's Germany. 

Schmitz's Ancient History. 

Wm. Smith's Greece. (Grote, Thirl wall.) 

Liddell's Rome. (Niebuhr, Arnold.) 

Guizot's Modern Civilization. 

Motley's Dutch Republic. 

Motley's United Netherlands. 

Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. 

Milman's Latin Christianity. 

Hallam's Middle Ages. 

Robertson's Charles Fifth. 

Ranke's Popes and Reformation. 

Macaulay's England. 

Carlyle's French Revolution. 

John Lord's Modern History. 

Patton's United States. 

Smyth's Modern History. 

Guyot's Physical Geography. 

Bancroft's United States. Hildreth. 

Prescott's Works. 



16-i the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

List of books. 

9. Philosophy. 
Thomson's Necessary Laws of Thought. 
Hamilton's Logic and Metaphysics, and Discussions. 
Marsh's Remains. Coleridge. Chalybaus. 
Mahast's Intellectual Philosophy. 
Reid's Intellectual Powers, Walker's ed. 
Stewart's Moral Philosophy, "Walker's ed. 
Hickok's Science of Mind, Cosmology, Rational Psychol- 
ogy, etc. 
YTinslow's Moral Philosophy. 
Cousin on the True, Beautiful, and Good. 
Moffat's ^Esthetics. Tappan's Logic. 
Schwegler's History of Philosophy. (Morell.) 
M'Intosh's History of Ethical Science. 
Hegel's Philosophy of History. 
Mansel's Prolegomena Logica. 
Kant's Critique, by Meiklejohn. 
Lieber's Civil Liberty. 
Fleming's Vocabulary of Philosophy. 

10. General Literature. 
Shakspeaee. Milton. Cary's Dante. 
Bacon's Essays. Burke. Junius. 
Macaulay's Miscellanies. 
Ruskin's Modern Painters. 
Chambers' Selections, etc. 
Mrs. Botta's History of Literature. 
D'Israeli's Curiosities of Literature. 
Hare's Guesses at Truth. 
Kame's Elements of Criticism. 
Schlegel's Dramatic Literature. 
Marsh's English Language. 



THE MINISTRY. 165 



List of books. 



Fowler's English Grammar. (Brown.) 
Worcester's (Webster's) English Dictionary. 
Chambers' Encyclopedia. 
New American Cyclopedia. 



•llddell and scott's greek-english lexicon. 
Crooks and Schem's Latin-English Lexicon. 
Harper's Classical Series. 



PART III. 
SERVICES OF THE CHURCH. 



CHAPTER I. 

PUBLIC WORSHIP ON THE LORD'S DAY. 

The conducting of the public worship of 
God is worthy of being made the subject of 
careful previous preparation. The mind and 
the emotions of the heart ought to be brought 
into harmony with the solemn offices of prayer 
and praise, and all the parts of duty should be 
arranged in a seemly and edifying order. 

The devotional services of the sanctuary, it 
is true, receive advantage from any tincture of 
freshness which may be derived from times 
and occasions; for availing ourselves of which, 
our admirable system of worship, which allows 
the largest freedom in the use of extemporane- 
ous prayer, furnishes every opportunity. Some 
distinguished clergymen, however, of our own 
and kindred churches, have sought improve- 
ment for themselves and the edification of their 



168 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Liturgical composition. Order of service. 

people by a partial use of precomposed forms. 
Calvin, Knox, Baxter, and Chalmers resorted 
to the work of liturgical composition. 

And doubtless many of the present day, es- 
pecially young ministers, might derive advant- 
age from pursuing judiciously, and to a limited 
extent, a similar course. We give hereafter 
some forms of invocation for the opening of 
public worship, and several prayers for differ- 
ent occasions. 

It will be seen, from the smallness of this 
collection, that we do not intend to recommend 
a reliance upon such forms. The end of their 
introduction will be accomplished if beginners 
are assisted, and the inquiry is raised in the 
minds of pastors whether they ought not to 
pay special attention to the attainment of vari- 
ety, adaptedness, and propriety of expression in 
prayer. To secure these, there is no doubt that 
the pen is a valuable auxiliary, and the com- 
positions of others may be studied with profit. 

A uniform order is desirable in conducting 
the services of the sanctuary on the Lord's day. 
The comfort of the worshipers would be pro- 
moted by such uniformity, and ministers would 
be preserved from embarrassment in leading the 
worship of other congregations than their own. 



SERVICES. 169 



Order of service. Invocation. 

The following is, perhaps, as proper in itself 
as any, and is sanctioned by extensive usage : 

An Order of Service for the Lord's Day, 

1. Invocation. 

2. Psalm or hymn. 

3. Reading the Scriptures. [It is recommended that this 
be never omitted in any religious service.] 

4. Prayer. 

5. Psalm or Hymn. 

6. Notices. 

7. Sermon. 

8. Prayer. 

9. Psalm or Hymn, with Doxology. 
10. Benediction. 

AN INVOCATION. 

Almighty and glorious Creator, we adore 
thee as our God. As thy dependent creatures 
we look up to thee. "We wait upon thee for 
thy blessing. Grant us the tokens of thy gra- 
cious presence while we open our lips to pray 
to thee : while we attempt to utter thy praises 
in the sanctuary. 

Impart to us, we beseech thee, a deep sense 
of our sinfulness and of our wants. Supply 
those wants, and cleanse us from our guilt. 
Let the blood of Christ b§ sprinkled upon our 
souls, and so sanctify our natures by thy Holy 



170 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Invocation. 

Spirit as to fit us for communion with thee. 
May we see thy glory in the sanctuary : may 
we find a day in thy courts better than a thou- 
sand elsewhere. Let thy holy "Word enlighten 
and cheer us ; let the dews of thy grace de- 
scend on us, and all our worship be so offered 
that it shall be acceptable to thee through Je- 
sus Christ. Amen. 

AN INVOCATION. 

Eternal God, thou art the maker and pre- 
server of all things. The heavens show forth 
thy praise, and the earth is full of thy glory. 
All things created are thine. Thou hast en- 
dowed thy sentient creatures with susceptibili- 
ties for enjoyment, and made ample provision 
for their wants. Thou openest thy liberal hand 
to give to all their meat in due season. 

By thee the lilies are clothed, and saints and 
seraphs are invested with robes of purity. By 
thee the smallest insects are refreshed, the 
young lions that roar for meat are supplied, 
and those that dwell in thy courts below and 
thy courts above are fed with heavenly manna, 
and blessed with visions of thy glory. 

Grant us just views of thy majesty and thy 
holiness, that we may be humble in thy pres- 



SERVICES. 171 



Invocation. 



ence. Impart to us a due sense of our depend- 
ence, that we may render to thee grateful ac- 
knowledgments. Help us to receive thy gifts 
with thankfulness, and humbly to imitate thy 
beneficence. 

Forgive our manifold sins, through Jesus 
Christ, thy dear Son, our Saviour. Assist us, 
by thy Holy Spirit, in all our worship. Let 
the words of our mouth and the meditation of 
our heart be acceptable in thy sight, Lord, 
our strength and our Eedeemer. Amen. 

AN INVOCATION. 

[From the Pulpit Manual for the use of St. Peter's Pres- 
byterian Church (Old School), Rochester, New York. By 
permission. ] v 

Almighty and everlasting God, who art ev- 
ery where present, this day in thy courts we 
would worship and adore thee. Thou, even 
thou, art Lord alone. Thou hast made heaven, 
the heaven of heavens, with all their host ; the 
earth, and all things that are therein ; the seas, 
and all that is therein ; and thou preservest 
them all : the host of heaven worshipeth thee. 
On this hallowed morning, which commemo- 
rates the resurrection of thy Son, Jesus Christ, 
our Saviour, we humbly approach thee in his 



172 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Prayer before sermon. 

name, and with angels, and archangels, and the 
whole company of heaven, praise and magnify 
thy perfections. Eeceive us graciously. De- 
spise us not, though unworthy. Help us by 
thy Spirit, and sanctify us for the services of 
thy house, that we may be accepted in our 
prayers and praises, and find that a day in thy 
courts is better than a thousand elsewhere, and 
that it is good for us to draw near to God, 
through Jesus Christ, our great High-priest and 
only Mediator. Amen. 

A PEAYEE BEFOEE SEEMOK 

O God most gracious, all thy works praise 
thee. The heavens declare thy glory, and the 
firmament manifests thy power and skill. All 
the great agencies of nature are but the work- 
ings of thy omnipotence. Stormy wind and 
tempest, fire and hail, fulfill thy word. Nor do 
those gentler influences of dew and sunshine 
less clearly indicate thy presence. Thy saints 
and angels, and all the blessed court of heaven, 
show forth thy glory in a voluntary worship. 
Grant us thy gracious assistance, Lord, that 
we may with thankful hearts join in these uni- 
versal acknowledgments of thy goodness. 

We know that we are most unworthy to 



SERVICES. 173 



Prayer before sermon. 



come into thy presence. We are miserable sin- 
ners. But we come in the name of Jesus Christ, 
thy well -beloved Son, our Saviour. For his 
sake we implore thy forgiving grace. In his 
name we ask the assistance of thy Holy Spirit. 

Grant us a just sense of our obligations to 
thee. Thou hast multiplied thy mercies. Thou 
hast covered our valleys with corn, and given 
us the cattle upon a thousand hills. Thou hast 
smiled upon our commerce, and filled our land 
with various abundance. Thou hast saved us 
from desolating war, and held in check the rav- 
ages of the pestilence. Thou hast preserved 
the lives of magistrates and of men that are 
useful in those professions which possess great 
power to bless a community. The teachers of 
our youth and the ministers of religion have 
been permitted to pursue their holy calling 
without interruption. Our sanctuaries are pre- 
served to us. Our dwellings have not been 
consumed. 

Thy blessed Gospel has been given us as our 
peculiar inheritance. Thou hast not dealt so 
with any other people. 

May we exercise a gratitude that shall bear 
some just proportion to thy rich and multiplied 
gifts. May we evince our thankfulness by our 



174 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Prayer before sermon. 

lives, imitating, in some humble manner, thy 
beneficence by doing good. Let thy blessing 
rest upon our rulers. Give grace to thy serv- 
ant, the President of these United States. Sur- 
round him with good counselors, and help him 
to discharge all the duties of his high office 
faithfully and in the fear of God. Assist, in 
like manner, all that are in authority. Make 
our officers peace and our exactors righteous- 
ness. Command thy blessing upon all the fam- 
ilies and individuals of this congregation, and 
suit thy mercies to their respective wants. Con- 
sole such as are bereaved and all who are suf- 
fering affliction. Heal the sick, comfort the 
feeble-minded, and cause any who may have 
wandered from thee to return to the Shepherd 
and Bishop of their souls. Grant thy blessing 
especially upon the children and youth. Give 
to their parents and teachers wisdom to instruct 
them in the knowledge of thy Word, and to 
guide them into the paths of piety and peace. 
Eaise up from among them faithful laborers to 
be sent forth into thy harvest. 

Assist us, we beseech thee, in the duties of 
thy house to-day. May thy Word be dispensed 
faithfully and appropriately. Let the influence 
of thy Holy Spirit accompany it, and impress it 



SERVICES. 175 



Prayer before sermon. 



upon every soul. Bless all the assemblies of 
thy worshipers of every name, and clothe all 
thy ministers with salvation, that thy people 
may rejoice in goodness. We are unworthy 
of these great mercies ; but, emboldened by thy 
promises, we ask them in the name of our mer- 
ciful Eedeemer, whose blessed lips have taught 
us to say, 

Our Father, etc. 

A PRAYEE BEFOEE SEEMON. 

Almighty God, thou art the blessed and only 
Potentate, dwelling in light inaccessible, whom 
no man hath seen or can see. Thou hast clothed 
thyself with light as with a garment ; thy right- 
eousness reacheth unto the clouds, and thy glo- 
ry fills the heavenly Jerusalem. Its blessed 
inhabitants have no need of the sun or the 
moon to give them light, for the Lord God and 
the Lamb are the light thereof. Yet, while they 
can not look upon thee by reason of the bright- 
ness of thy perfections, with veiled faces they 
worship thee. 

Help us, O God, to join with them in their 
adorations, to unite in their praises. Grant us 
the illuminations of the Holy Spirit, that we 



176 THE pkesbyterian's hand-book. 

Prayer before sermon. 

may render thee acceptable service through Je- 
sus Christ. 

We confess to thee, God, that we are mis- 
erable sinners. We have done those things 
which we ought not to have done, and we have 
left undone our most obvious duties. Forgive, 
we beseech thee, all those offenses which ren- 
der us so unworthy of thy favor, and grant us 
the assistance of thy grace that we may do thy 
will. 

Prepare our minds for a profitable contem- 
plation of thy holy Word. Let its pure in- 
structions exercise their appropriate influence 
over us. Enable thy servant to dispense the 
Gospel simply and faithfully, and let every soul 
in thy presence be duly affected by it. Grant 
thy grace to every Christian congregation as- 
sembled to worship thee in the name of Jesus. 
Let thy holy presence be manifested every 
where in thy sanctuary, and thy Word be at- 
tended by the Holy Ghost sent down from heav- 
en. Supply the wants of the indigent and the 
needy. Visit the poor prisoner with thy grace. 
Be thou the judge of the widow, and the father 
of the fatherless. Break thou the arm of the 
oppressor, and let the oppressed go free. Grant 
that the Holy Scriptures may be universally 



SERVICES. 177 



Prayer after sermon. 



diffused. Cause the angel, having the everlast- 
ing Gospel to preach, to fly through the midst 
of heaven. 

We implore thy protection and blessing in 
behalf of the absent members of this church 
and congregation. Preserve them from sick- 
ness and death, and every calamity. Save them 
especially from temptation. 

We would remember before thee our rulers 
— the chief magistrate of this great nation, and 
our state and city authorities. God grant them 
grace and wisdom to do his will, and fill this 
land with peace, and purity, and godliness, as 
thou hast filled it with plenty. Aid us in all 
the duties of this holy day, and grant that we 
may be prepared, by worshiping thee in the 
sanctuary, to render to thee acceptable service 
both in our private devotions and in our secu- 
lar vocations. Help us to consecrate ourselves 
wholly to thee through Jesus Christ, while we 
say, as he has taught us to pray, 

" Our Father," etc. 

A PEAYER AFTER SERMON ON 

IDOLATRY. 
Merciful Father, we thank thee for thy holy 
Word. Thou hast been pleased to inform us 
M 



178 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Prayer after sermon. 

that an idol is nothing in the world, and that 
there is none other God but one. Thou hast 
placed before us thyself in thy supremacy as 
demanding the undivided homage of our souls, 
and hast exhibited thy glorious attributes to 
awaken our reverence and attract our love. 
Yet, while thou hast by thy Gospel saved us 
from being debased by dumb and senseless im- 
ages, we have been guilty of spiritual idolatry ; 
we have loved and served the creature more 
than the Creator, who is blessed forever. We 
have ofttimes served mammon in preference 
to the only living and true God. We have 
been guilty of that covetousness which is idol- 
atry. We desire humbly to repent of all those 
sins by which we have departed from thee and 
given thy glory to another. We beg of thee 
to arise in thy might and in thy majesty, and to 
cause the heathen to cast their gods of wood 
and, stone to the moles and bats. Displace by 
thy spiritual presence the images that have dis- 
honored thee in Christian temples. But espe- 
cially do we implore of thee to apply thy Word, 
at this time, to those among us who are living 
in sin. Make them to see that they can not 
serve God and mammon, and that if any man 
love the world the love of the Father is not in 



SERVICES. 179 



Prayer for a day of fasting. 



him. Save unconverted sinners from that guilt 
which, if persisted in, must leave them to have 
their portion with hypocrites, and unbelievers, 
and idolaters, and whatsoever loveth and mak- 
eth a lie. Deny us not this petition, but come 
to us by thy Holy Spirit, and save perishing 
souls from going down to eternal death. Then 
shall their ransomed spirits praise thee ; and 
thy people on earth, and saints and angels in 
heaven, shall unite with us in giving all the glo- 
ry to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR A DAY OF FASTING. 

God, thou art a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and 
unchangeable in all thine attributes. Thou re- 
quirest thy worshipers to worship thee in spirit 
and in truth ; and we, thy sinful and unworthy 
creatures, lamenting our hardness of heart and 
the blindness of our minds, implore the special* 
presence and assistance of thy Holy Spirit, that 
our attempts to serve thee may be accepted 
through thy grace. 

Thy glory, Lord, is boundless, and saints 
and angels around thy throne adore thee. Yet 
we, whose blessings have been so abundant, and 
whose privileges are so distinguished — whose 



180 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 



Prayer for a day of fasting. 



eyes continually behold the tokens of thy pow- 
er and goodness, and whose bodies and souls 
are nourished by thy mercies — are most insen- 
sible to the displays of thy character. We 
have shown a sinful obduracy under all thy 
compassions, and have scarcely trembled at thy 
frown. 

Grant unto us, we beseech thee, a due sense 
of our manifold transgressions ; that, reflecting 
on thy love, and meditating on the impiety of 
our lives, we may cordially bewail our sins and 
seek thy forgiveness. 

We confess that by our rebellions we have 
obstructed the progress of thy Word, and hin- 
dered the ungodly from turning unto thee. 
Zion is desolate, her fruitful fields are as a wil- 
derness, and her walls have been broken down. 
We have robbed thee of the offerings due to 
thy name, and thou hast justly withheld thy 
grace. Greatly deploring our guilt, we come 
to thee with broken hearts. We know that 
there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayst 
be feared. Through the merits of thy dear 
Son, our blessed Saviour, we believe that we 
have access to thy presence, and that thou wilt 
hear us. We entreat thee to take away our re- 
proach from us. Wherefore should the hea- 



SERVICES. 181 



Prayer for a day of fasting. 



then say, Where is their God ? Kemember not 
against us former iniquities ; cast us not away 
from thy presence ; and take not thy Holy Spirit 
from us. Let our eyes be opened to behold 
wondrous things out of thy law ; and may our 
hearts, that have tasted the bitterness of trans- 
gression, and deplored thine absence, be cheer- 
ed with the light of thy returning presence, and 
refreshed with sweet draughts of thy love. 
Dispose every mind to faithful self-examina- 
tion. Let thy whole Church be deeply abased 
before thee, and may united supplications as- 
cend for the bestowment of thy favor. Help 
us to be more faithful in secret devotion. Give 
us greater wisdom, and fidelity and patience in 
the training of our families. May we show in- 
creasing delight in the services of thy sanctuary 
and the communion of saints. Forbid that we 
should forsake the assembling of ourselves to- 
gether, as the manner of some is. Help us to 
be more self-denying in thy work, and, like our 
divine Master, may we go about doing good. 
Let the incentives of thy holy religion exercise 
greater power over our hearts ; and henceforth, 
remembering the precious blood with which we 
have been redeemed, may we constantly en- 
deavor to walk worth v of our vocation. Turn 



182 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Prayer for a day of fasting. 

us again, Lord God of hosts ; cause thy face 
to shine, and we shall be saved. Assist us to 
bring our offerings to thee with willing hearts, 
and let thy blessings be poured forth until there 
be no room to receive them. Kevive thy work 
among all thy churches, and in every part of 
our world where the Gospel is known. Send 
the tidings of redemption speedily to all the 
nations of the earth, and hasten the time when 
thy blessed Son shall wield a universal sceptre. 
Thus, O Lord, do we entreat thy forgiveness 
and thy favor, not for our sakes, who have 
abused thy forbearance, but for his sake whom 
we acknowledge as our Saviour and King, and 
to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spir- 
it, we ascribe glory and dominion evermore. 
Amen. 



SERVICES. 183 

Sacraments. Baptism. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE SACRAMENTS. 

According to the teachings of our stand- 
ards, " sacraments are holy signs and seals of 
the covenant of grace, immediately instituted 
by God, to represent Christ and his benefits, 
and to confirm -our interest in him ; as also to 
put a visible difference between those that be- 
long to the Church and the rest of the world, 
and solemnly to engage them to the service of 
God in Christ, according to his Word."* 

" The sacraments of the New Testament are 
Baptism and the Lord's Supper."f 

I. BAPTISM. 

11 Baptism is not to be administered to any 
that are out of the visible Church, and so stran- 
gers from the covenant of promise, till they pro- 
fess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him ; 
but infants descending from parents, either both 

* Confession of Faith, chap, xxvii., sec. 1. 
t Shorter Catechism, 93. 



184 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Baptism, when administered. 

or but one of them, professing faith in Christ 
and obedience to him, are, in that respect, with- 
in the covenant, and are to be baptized."* 

This sacrament is administered to adults not 
baptized in their infancy, on the occasion of 
publicly professing their faith in Christ. 

It is proper that a stated time be observed 
for the administration of baptism to infants. 
The morning of the Sunday next succeeding 
the celebration of the Lord's Supper is recom- 
mended as a suitable occasion. There may 
arise a necessity for its administration at other 
times, which may be provided for as circum- 
stances shall require. Members of the Church 
ought to present their children for baptism 
without unnecessary delay. The pastor is to 
be furnished at the time with a written state- 
ment of the names of both the parents, the 
name of the child, and the date of its birth. 

The baptism should be preceded by an ad- 
dress to the parents on the solemn import of 
the transaction. The following has been pre- 
pared to answer this purpose, or at least to fur- 
nish suggestions to ministers for suitably con- 
ducting this service. 

* Larger Catechism, 166. 



SERVICES. 185 

Baptismal service. Infants. 

ADDRESS AT THE BAPTISM OF INFANTS. 

Beloved Friends, — In presenting your off- 
spring for baptism, you profess to be in cove- 
nant with God. 

In that covenant you have given up every 
thing you call your own, to be used for his glo- 
ry, in the manner which best accords with its 
nature. Those possessions that are destitute of 
moral agency are devoted to God as were the 
vessels of the sanctuary; while those which 
are capable of a voluntary service, as your 
selves and your children, you have consecrated 
to a life of obedience to the divine command- 
ments. 

This consecration in your own case has been 
expressed by baptism. You now seek the same 
sacred ordinance for your children; not as a 
means of purification, but as avowing your faith, 
in setting them solemnly apart for the service 
of Christ. 

Like circumcision in the Jewish Church, bap- 
tism is the initiatory sacrament of the Christian 
Church, and, equally with the former rite, is 
to be extended to the offspring of believers. 
Hence Peter declared " the promise is unto you 
and to your children." When Lydia had re- 



186 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Baptismal service. Infants. 

ceived the Gospel, "she was baptized and her 
household," on the ground of her individual 
faith, saying, " If ye have judged me to be faith- 
ful to the Lord, come into my house and abide 
there." The jailer at Philippi, when he be- 
lieved, " was baptized, he and all his, straight- 
way ;" and Paul informs us that he baptized 
the household of Stephanas. We know also 
that our divine Lord, when he was upon earth, 
took little children in his arms and blessed 
them. We can not suppose that he regards the 
lambs of the flock with less interest now. The 
Scriptures moreover teach that if but one of 
the parents is a believer, their children are not 
unclean, but holy ; that is, they are ceremonial- 
ly consecrated to God. 

In view, then, of your privileges, and the re- 
lation which your offspring sustain toward 
Christ and his Church, you bring them to re- 
ceive the seal of the righteousness of faith, and 
confess their need of inward cleansing by the 
Holy Spirit. You bind yourselves, in a solemn 
vow, to teach them the doctrines and precepts 
of our holy religion, as contained in the Scrip- 
tures of the Old and New Testaments, an ex- 
cellent summary of which may be found in the 
Confession of Faith and Catechisms of our 



SERVICES. 187 



Lord's Supper. 



Church. You engage to restrain them from 
sin, and to bring them up in the nurture and 
admonition of the Lord. 

In order to accomplish these ends, you must 
carefully maintain a consistent piety. *We ex- 
hort you to attach great importance to a godly 
example ; to pray with your children and teach 
them to pray ; and to entreat for them, not only 
now, but also daily, that what is emblematically 
represented by baptism with water may be ac- 
complished in the sanctification of their natures 
by the washing of regeneration and renewing 
of the Holy Ghost. 

Humbly relying on divine assistance, do you 
solemnly promise thus to train your children 
for the service of God and for heaven ? 

[Prayer should be offered at the close of the address, and 
again immediately after the administration of the baptism.] 

II. THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

There is no part of the public worship of 
God that derives greater advantage from a 
proper attention to harmonious arrangement, 
and a due simplicity and solemnity, than the 
celebration of the Lord's Supper. Its influence 
is often impaired by a want of conciseness and 
relevancy in remarks, by engaging too many 



188 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Lord's Supper. Order of the service. 

ministers to officiate on the same occasion, and 
by omitting to secure such system in the ad- 
ministration as will obviate any painful mis- 
takes. On the other hand, a brevity and haste 
may be used that shall be scarcely less objec- 
tionable. Pastors should aim at plainness, ten- 
derness, and impressiveness ; and the elders 
who serve on the occasion ought to render 
themselves familiar with their duties, and thus 
assist in securing the solemnity of the service. 

ORDER OF SERVICE AT THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

1. Invocation. 

2. Singing. 

3. Eeading of the Scriptures. 

4. Prayer. 

5. Eeception of new members. 

6. Invitation to all evangelical Christians, in 
good standing in their respective communions, 
to join in the celebration. 

[For this purpose they should be requested to take their 
seats with the communicants ; and, while the opportunity is 
given for a compliance with the invitation, it is proper for 
the minister to descend from the pulpit and take his place 
at the table.] 

7. Singing. 

[It is appropriate to use, here, Hymn 473, Church Psalmist : 
u 'Twaa on that dark and doleful night." 



SERVICES. 189 



Lord's Supper. Order of the service. 

The cloth may be removed by two of the elders at the sing- 
ing of the third verse, 

"This is my body. 11 ] 

8. Address. 

9. Blessing and breaking the bread, followed 
with its distribution by the elders, the minister 
being first served by one of them. After the 
elders have given the bread to the communi- 
cants and taken their seats, it is proper that 
they should be served by the minister. 

10. Giving thanks and dispensing the cup : 
the same order to be observed as in distribut- 
ing the bread. 

11. Exhortation. 

12. Prayer and giving of thanks. 

13. Collection for the poor. 

[During the collection, it is proper for the minister, if he 
prefer it, to resume his place in the pulpit.] 

14. Singing. 

15. Benediction. "Now the God of peace, 
that brought again from the dead our Lord Je- 
sus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through 
the blood of the everlasting covenant, make 
you perfect in every good work to do his will, 
working in you that which is well pleasing in 
his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be 
glory forever and ever. Amen." 



190 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Lord's Supper. Introductory prayer. 

PRAYER AT THE COMMUNION. 

Almighty God, we adore thee as the God and 
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Au- 
thor of eternal salvation. It has pleased thee 
to devise a scheme of grace, showing forth in 
a wonderful manner thy wisdom and compas- 
sion; a scheme which at the same time pre- 
serves the sanctity and authority of thy perfect 
government and saves the guilty. Thou hast 
given up thy only -begotten Son, to come into 
our sin-stricken world, to take upon him our 
nature, and to die in our stead. The chastise- 
ment of our peace was upon him, and with his 
stripes we are healed. 

Help us, we beseech thee, to look up to this 
dying Lamb which taketh away the sin of the 
world, and give us grace to consecrate ourselves 
to him who has bought us with his own blood. 

We pray for thy blessing upon those who 
have come hither to-day to confess Christ their 
Saviour before the world. Enable them to 
make a complete surrender of all that they pos- 
sess to him who has done so much for them. 
May they bring, in the exercise of a true faith, 
their property, their influence, their acquire- 
ments of every sort, and every valuable per- 



SERVICES. 191 



Lord's Supper. Introductory prayer. 

sonal quality with which thou hast been pleased 
to endow them, and lay them down at the feet 
of their Master. 

Be gracious to any that may have wandered 
from thee, and heal their backsliding. Make 
their approach to the table of the Lord a means 
of touching their hearts, and causing the tears 
of penitence to flow afresh ; and, thus bringing 
them back to the Shepherd and Bishop of their 
souls, lift upon them the light of thy counte- 
nance, and restore to them the joys of thy sal- 
vation. Eaise up and cheer such as may be 
sinking in despondency, and make this occa- 
sion the means of reinvigorating their faith and 
hope, that they may mount up on wings as 
eagles, that they may run and not be weary, 
that they may walk and not faint. If there be 
any strangers among us that love our Lord and 
his precious cause, may they come with glad 
hearts and unite with us in celebrating the love 
of Jesus at his table. May this be to all of us 
a season of hallowed and happy communion. 
May we silently renew our covenant vows with 
God and with one another, and experience such 
spiritual refreshment and comfort as shall ani- 
mate us to a new zeal in thy service. O Lord, 
be graciously present with us. Give us peace 



192 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Prayer. Blessing the bread. 

in believing, and let not one soul go unblest 
away. Let thy Holy Spirit fill the place, so 
that this feast may be to us a foretaste of that 
communion which we hope to enjoy in the 
presence of our glorified Eedeemer. 

We confess, O Lord, that we are utterly un- 
worthy of these mercies, but we ask them in 
the name of that Saviour who purchased them 
for us, and to him, with the Father and the 
Holy Spirit, we will give all the praise forever. 
Amen. 

PRAYER AT THE TABLE BEFORE ADMINISTER- 
ING THE BREAD. 

Our Father in heaven, assembled at thy board 
we seek thy presence. Though sinful and lost 
in ourselves, we are emboldened to approach 
thee in the name of Jesus — that name that is 
above every name. In him we are justified. 
We are accepted in the Beloved. By his pre- 
cious blood our sins are all washed away, and 
we are clothed with his righteousness and 
adopted into thy family. We come to wait 
upon thee in humble acknowledgment of our 
unworthiness of such mercies, and to seek that 
these mercies may be sealed and secured to us 
in this holy ordinance. 



SERVICES. 193 



Prayer. Blessing the bread. 

Who are we, O Lord, that we should be per- 
mitted to occupy a place with thy children? 
We were estranged from thee ; we were uncir- 
cumcised in heart and ears ; but now, through 
thy sovereign grace, we are brought near to thy 
mercy-seat, and are permitted to call thee our 
Father. Thou hast spread before us these em- 
blems of the body and blood of our crucified 
Eedeemer. Help us to receive them as the to- 
kens of thy love. May we take this bread into 
our hands, and so appropriate it that our feed- 
ing upon it shall be a true symbol of our faith 
feeding upon the sacrifice which thou hast pre- 
pared for us. Thus may his flesh be meat in- 
deed, and his blood be drink indeed. Impart 
to us, we beseech thee, some fresh tokens of thy 
gracious presence. Touch our hearts with such 
a sense of thy goodness as shall lead us to re- 
pentance ; quicken our faith, and enkindle in 
our bosoms the flame of never-dying love, that 
so the incense of perpetual thanksgiving and 
praise may ascend to thee from our souls. May 
we exercise a true charity toward all the mem- 
bers of this Church and toward thy Church 
universal ; knowing that, unless we forgive, 
when we bring our offerings to thy altar, nei- 
ther will our heavenly Father forgive us. Oh 
N 



194 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Prayer. Blessing the cup. 

come to us now by thy Holy Spirit, that we 
may sit together here as in heavenly places in 
Christ. May we, by faith, behold Jesus presid- 
ing at his table, and from surveying his pierced 
hands and wounded side, verify his declaration 
that they are especially blessed who have not 
seen and yet have believed. May every soul 
be quickened to a new life. Let them that are 
weak receive strength ; let the doubting be con- 
firmed ; let the desponding be encouraged, and 
all be so refreshed and comforted that this feast 
shall be a foretaste of that union and joy which 
shall be experienced by all thy ransomed peo- 
ple when they shall be gathered together in 
the general assembly and Church of the first- 
born whose names are written in heaven. We 
ask these mercies in the name of our Lord Je- 
sus Christ, our great Mediator, to whom, with 
the Father and the Holy Spirit, shall be all the 
glory forever. Amen. 

THANKS BEFORE ADMINISTERING THE CUP. 

Most merciful and gracious God, we thank 
thee for spreading this table for us — for this 
bread and this cup to show forth our Lord's 
death till he come. We thank thee more es- 
pecially for those wonderful provisions for our 



SERVICES. 195 



Thanks before the cup. 



souls so significantly set forth by these sacred 
symbols. We praise thee for thy great mercy 
in purchasing our redemption by the blood of 
Jesus ; for all that he did and suffered on our 
behalf, and for his unspeakable tenderness and 
love in instituting this feast and bidding us to 
celebrate it in remembrance of him. 

We thank thee for that holy providence 
which has given us thy Gospel and all the 
means of grace that we have enjoyed ; but 
more especially do we thank thee for the inter- 
position of thy Spirit in convincing ns of sin 
and in leading us to Christ. We thank thee 
for preserving our lives and bringing us to- 
gether at this time, and permitting us to renew 
again our covenant vows with thee and with 
one another. 

May we receive this cup as the emblem of 
the blood shed for us. May it minister to the 
strengthening of our faith, and fill our souls 
with joyful hope. Grant to every one in thy 
presence a special blessing, that we may go 
forth from this feast to manifest our grateful 
love in a life of obedience to thy command- 
ments, and in humbly bearing our cross as the 
disciples and followers of Jesus. And enable 
us thus to live, honoring our blessed Lord, till 



196 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Removals of members. Admission to sealing ordinances. 

it shall be his pleasure to take us to those man- 
sions which he has gone to prepare for them 
that love him. We offer these thanks and sup- 
plicate these mercies for his sake alone. Amen. 

ADMISSION OF MEMBERS TO THE CHURCH. 

A member removing from one congregation 
to another is received into the communion of 
the Church to which he comes on presenting a 
satisfactory letter of dismission and recommend- 
ation from the Church he has left. By a pro- 
vision of our Book of Discipline, however, chap- 
ter xi., section 2, a certificate is not valid if 
more than one year old, unless there has been 
no opportunity of presenting it to any Church 
at an earlier date. Members are also received 
from other evangelical denominations on simi- 
lar conditions. 

"With regard to the admission of other per- 
sons to sealing ordinances, our Directory of 
Worship, chapter ix., clearly distinguishes be- 
tween those " born within the pale of the visi- 
ble Church, and dedicated to God in baptism," 
and unbaptized persons. In the case of the 
latter, it is prescribed that " they shall, in ordi- 
nary cases, after giving satisfaction with respect 
to their knowledge and piety, make a public 



SERVICES. 197 



Profession of faith. Public reception. 

profession of their faith in the presence of the 
congregation, and thereupon be baptized." No 
form is furnished in which this profession shall 
be made, but most of our churches have adopt- 
ed some method of conducting this service with 
solemnity and for edification. In many cases, 
if not generally, however, no sufficient distinc- 
tion seems to be made between baptized and 
unbaptized persons. We ought to lose no op- 
portunity of showing the great importance we 
attach to the baptismal covenant, and of recog- 
nizing its practical effects. 

We can not hope to suggest any form for the 
reception of Church members which will be 
equally satisfactory to all. It would, however, 
be hardly consistent with the object of this 
hand-book to omit such a form from its pages. 
That which follows, therefore, may be of use to 
newly-organized churches, and may furnish as- 
sistance to those pastors who propose to revise 
formulas already in use. 

[The formulas employed in the public reception of mem- 
bers to our churches are various, and bear probable marks 
of having been derived from a single original. The basis 
of the following is in substance the form used in one of our 
city churches. We have freely altered it to adapt it to the 
principles already explained.] 



198 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Form of reception to the Church. 

A FORM TO BE USED IN PUBLICLY RECEIVING 
NEW MEMBERS TO THE CHURCH. 

[At the time indicated in the order of service for the Lord's 
Supper, the minister requests those unbaptized persons whom 
the Session has admitted to membership to stand before the 
pulpit, and addresses them as follows :] 

ADDRESS. 

You appear in this public manner before 
God, to dedicate yourselves to his service, and 
to unite with his visible people. 

We trust that you have been renewed by the 
Holy Spirit, and are prepared to make confes- 
sion of your faith, and to enter into a covenant, 
not to be revoked, to receive the Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost as your God, and to walk in 
all the commandments of the Lord. 

Our system of doctrine is set forth in the 
Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian 
Church, to a brief summary of which you will 
now give your assent. 

You believe that there is but one living and 
true God; infinite, eternal, and unchangeable 
in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, 
goodness, and truth ; the Creator, Preserver, 
and Governor of all things ; existing in three 
persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy 



SERVICES. 199 



Profession of faith. 



Ghost ; and that these three are one God, the 
same in substance, equal in power and glory. 

You believe that the Scriptures of the Old 
and New Testaments are the inspired "Word of 
God, and the only infallible rule of faith and 
practice. 

You believe that our first parents were cre- 
ated holy ; that, by sinning against God, they 
incurred his righteous displeasure, and involved 
their posterity in sin and death. 

You believe that God has, in infinite mercy, 
provided a way of salvation, through the medi- 
ation and death of his Son Jesus Christ ; and 
that Christ is verily God, and is both able and 
willing to save all who repent and believe in 
him. 

You believe that, in order to participate in 
the benefits of Christ's death, it is necessary to 
trust in him alone as an all-sufficient Saviour, 
to forsake sin, and walk in the ways of holiness 
to the end of life ; but that mankind are natu- 
rally so averse to holiness, and so in love with 
sin, that none ever do turn and live unless by 
the special influences of the Holy Spirit. 

You believe that those who are once renew- 
ed by grace will be kept by the power of God, 
through faith, unto salvation. 



200 THE pkesbyterian's hand-book. 

Form of reception. Covenant. 

You believe that, at the end of the world, 
there will be a general resurrection of the dead, 
and a final judgment, when the wicked shall 
go away into everlasting punishment, and the 
righteous into life eternal. 

To this summary of Christian doctrine do 
you cordially assent ? 

[The sacrament of baptism is here administered. After 
which the minister calls forward those persons baptized in 
infancy, who have been received by the Session into full com- 
munion. As soon as they have taken their places with the 
others, the minister addresses all as follows :] 

In virtue of your baptism, you severally 
stand in solemn covenant relation with Al- 
mighty God. It is fitting, on this occasion of 
assuming all the privileges and responsibilities 
of Christian discipleship, that you should de- 
clare your choice and purpose in this sacred 
act, and enter into a holy engagement with God 
and with this Church. 

Therefore, in the presence of God, of angels, 
and of men, you now solemnly avouch Jeho- 
vah — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost 
— to be your God. 

You take the Scriptures of the Old and New 
Testaments to be the rule of your conduct and 
of your faith. 



SERVICES. 201 



Covenant. Exhortation. 

You renounce the world, the flesh, and the 
devil, and sincerely embrace the Lord Jesus 
Christ as the object of your supreme love and 
trust. 

You profess it to be the purpose of your 
heart to live a humble, holy, and devout life ; 
to sanctify the Lord's day ; strictly to observe 
secret, family, and public worship ; to seek the 
conversion of sinners to Christ ; and henceforth 
to devote yourselves and all that you have, 
without reserve, to the service of your Be- 
deemer. 

You also engage to submit to the order and 
discipline of this Church ; to cherish a spirit of 
meekness and love ; to be patient under Chris- 
tian reproof; to be watchful over your own 
heart, and faithful to the souls of your brethren. 

Do you thus solemnly covenant with God 
and his people ? 

Dearly beloved, the vows of God are upon 
you. You have laid yourselves under peculiar 
obligations to be devoted to his service. You 
have renounced the world and its vanities, and 
received Christ as your portion. Let these en- 
gagements be the subject of frequent medita- 
tion and prayer. Henceforth guard every av- 
enue to temptation, and abstain from all appear- 



202 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Form of reception. By letter. 

ance of evil. Enter with your whole heart 
upon works of benevolence, and labor to turn 
many to righteousness. Let your dependence 
be on God. Pray without ceasing. Careful- 
ly observe stated seasons of secret devotion, 
and, whatever may interpose, neglect not your 
closet. Be not content with ordinary attain- 
ments in piety, but grow in grace and in the 
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Give diligence to make your calling 
and election sure ; and may you be enabled to 
keep the covenant this day made, through the 
grace of him who hath said, "Be thou faithful 
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of 
life." 

[Members received by letter may be requested now to rise 
in their places, the others still standing, and assent to the 
following engagement :] 

Being already in covenant with God and with 
his people, you do now, in transferring your pe- 
culiar relations to this branch of his Church, 
cheerfully renew the consecration of yourselves 
to his service, engage to submit to the govern- 
ment and discipline of Christ as here adminis- 
tered, and promise to seek the purity, peace, 
and edification of this Church. 

[Here the Church rise.] 



SERVICES. 20£ 



Welcome by the Church. 



In consequence of these engagements, we re- 
ceive you, beloved in the Lord, into the com- 
munion of this Church, and declare you enti- 
tled to all its privileges. We welcome you to 
our number, and promise to watch over you, 
and seek your edification while you continue 
among us. We ask a faithful co-operation on 
your part in all our labors. May our fellow- 
ship in the Gospel be sweet and profitable, and 
may we together " press toward the mark for 
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus." 

"Now unto him that is able to keep you 
from falling, and to present you faultless before 
the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 
to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and 
majesty, dominion and power, both now and 
ever. Amen." 

[Here all resume their seats. If no persons previously bap- 
tized are received, the above formula is still read consecutive- 
ly, omitting only the brief address to those received by letter, 
should there be none such present. If, however, there be bap- 
tized persons only to be admitted to full communion, the ad- 
dress is to be begun after the place designated for the adminis- 
tration of baptism, the Confession of Faith being thus omitted. 
In receiving members from other churches, some may prefer 
to announce their reception, without any other form, after the 
conclusion of this service, in which case the brief address to 
such persons is not used. Every minister can readily make 



204: the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Regular transfer of Church relations. 

the changes in language necessary when only one person is 
received, such as the omission of the word " severally" from 
the covenant.] 

We have reserved for introduction at this 
point, as appearing to be most appropriate in 
connection with the preceding formula of re- 
ception, a word of suggestion in regard to the 
principles which regulate Church membership, 
and govern the transfer of relations from one 
congregation to another. 

It ought to be impressed on all members of 
the Church that there is no orderly way in 
which they can dissolve their connection with 
an individual Church except by obtaining reg- 
ular letters of dismission and recommendation. 
These should be applied for very soon after re- 
moving from the bounds of the congregation to 
which the applicants have belonged, otherwise 
they may be unable to procure unqualified tes- 
timonials to their good standing. Our Book of 
Discipline, chapter xi., sections 3 and 4, gives 
explicit directions on this point. 

It ought not to be forgotten, moreover, that 
a member's relation to his Church is dissolved 
only by his actual reception into another Church. 
So long as he holds his certificate of dismission 
unused, he belongs to the former body, and is 
subject to its discipline. 



SERVICES. 205 

Disorderly withdrawal. How treated. 

It is disorderly for a Church member to unite 
himself to another denomination without a reg- 
ular dismission. In case of such a step, how- 
ever, if the Session can be certified of the same, 
they may, if they think it expedient to take no 
farther step, drop the name of the person from 
their roll, stating distinctly in the minutes the 
reasons of their action. 



206 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Marriage ceremony. 



CHAPTER III 

SERVICE IN THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE. 

MARRIAGE CEREMONY. I. 

By Rev. Samuel Worcester, D.D. — Altered. 

The honorable and interesting relation into 
which you now propose to enter is of divine in- 
stitution ; it is sacred in its nature and import- 
ant in its duties. It involves your dearest in- 
terests in this life, and, in its consequences, looks 
forward to a future world. 

A union so peculiar should not be entered 
into without a just sense of its responsibilities. 
And as you can not properly be united in these 
bonds without the sanction of God's Word and 
of the civil law, I charge you to declare it if 
there be any impediment to your lawful mar- 
riage. If there be none, you will please to 
join your right hands. 

Thus giving token of your cordial union, you 
mutually take and acknowledge each other in 
this sacred and most endearing relation of na- 
ture. 



SERVICES. 207 



Marriage ceremony. 



In the presence of God and these witnesses, 
you promise to cleave to each other, and to 
none else, and mutually to love, honor, and 
cherish each other. 

You severally promise that you will endeav- 
or, by every kind, affectionate, and faithful of- 
fice, to lighten each other's cares, relieve each 
other's sorrows, promote each others joys, and 
aid each other's duties ; and in all the scenes 
of life, whether prosperous or adverse, joyous 
or afflictive, through which, in divine Provi- 
dence, you may be called to pass, you promise 
to fulfill to each other the offices and duties of 
husband and wife respectively, and so to con- 
duct yourselves toward each other as becomes 
those who expect to give an account, and thus 
to do till death shall separate you. 

Do you thus mutually covenant and prom- 
ise? 

[If the use of the ring be preferred, the minister shall here 
say to the man,] 

What token dost thou give of thy sincerity? 

[The man presents the ring, and the minister shall say to 
the woman,] 

Dost thou, in evidence of the same on thy 
part, accept this ring ? 

[While saying this, the minister shall guide the hand of the 



208 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Marriage ceremony. 



man, who shall place the ring on the fourth ringer of the 
woman's left hand. Then the minister shall say,] 

Let us pray : 

Almighty God, be pleased to accompany 
thine own institution with thy blessing. Thou 
hast said from the beginning that it is not good 
that man should be alone, and therefore hast 
thou made an help meet for him, and ordained 
that those who were two should be one. We 
beseech thee (since thou hast called these two 
persons to the honorable estate of marriage) to 
vouchsafe to them thy Holy Spirit, that they 
may piously live together, and surely keep the 
vow and covenant between them made. May 
they ever continue in perfect love and peace 
together, and live according to thy laws, to the 
praise of thine abundant mercy, in and through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

[Then the minister, taking their clasped hands, shall say,] 

I now pronounce you husband and wife ; and 
what God hath joined together, let not man put 
asunder. 

The Lord our God replenish you with his 
grace, and grant that ye may long live togeth- 
er in all godliness and holiness. 

The Lord bless you and keep you ! 



SERVICES. 209 



Marriage ceremony. 



The Lord make his face shine upon you and 
be gracious unto you ! 

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you 
and give you peace ! Amen. 

MARRIAGE CEREMONY. II. 
Furnished by Rev. William Adams, D.D. 

Marriage was instituted by God himself for 
the welfare and happiness of his creatures. It 
was honored by the presence of the Son of God, 
and pronounced by the Holy Ghost " honora- 
ble in all. 7 ' The duties incumbent on those 
entering into this relation are briefly expressed 
in sympathy and love. Henceforth you are to 
be no more distinct and divided, but parts and 
properties of each other's being. "Whatever 
joy may be the portion of one will be shared 
by the heart of the other, and whatever sorrow 
may be allotted to one will throw its shadow 
over the path of the other ; so that, in the words 
of the Son of God, you shall be " no more twain, 
but one flesh." 

[Here the parties are requested to take each other by the 
right hand.] 

You, A. B., do take the woman whom you 
hold by the hand to be your lawful and mar- 
ried wife ; and you solemnly promise before God 
O 



210 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Marriage ceremony. 

and these witnesses that you will love and hon- 
or her, and in every regard prescribed by the 
Word of God and the laws of this common- 
wealth prove to her a faithful and affectionate 
husband till you are separated from her by 
death. Do you thus promise? 

A. B. I do. 

You, C. D., do take the man whom you now 
hold by the hand to be your lawful and mar- 
ried husband ; and you solemnly promise be- 
fore God and these witnesses that you will love 
and honor him, and in every regard prescribed 
by the Word of God and the laws of this com- 
monwealth, prove to him a faithful and affec- 
tionate wife till you are separated from him by 
death. Do you thus promise ? 

CD. I do. 

Minister. Forasmuch as you, A. B. and C. D., 
have so engaged and promised, I do, in accord- 
ance with the Word of God, pronounce you 
husband and wife. 

[If a ring is used, the minister here gives the ring to the 
husband, who puts it upon the fourth finger of the left hand 
of his wife; the minister adding,] 

And of this indissoluble union you give and 
receive this ring as a simple token and pledge. 

[The minister holding the hands thus united in his,] 



SERVICES. 211 

Marriage ceremony. 

And what God hath joined together let not 
man put asunder. 

The Lord bless you and keep you ; the Lord 
make his face to shine upon you and be gra- 
cious unto you; the Lord lift up his counte- 
nance upon you and give you peace. Amen. 

Let us pray. 



212 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 



CHAPTER IV. 

SERVICES AT FUNERALS. 

Ls" conducting funeral services, we deem it 
the best usage first to read selections from the 
Scrivtures. following with an address, an appro- 

or hymn may be sung at the beginning, when 

desired. 

It will be found a convenience to rasters to 
possess suitable selected r irncms of God's TTord 
in an accessible form, for use on these occasions. 

In the following compilations, we have given 
both large consecutive passages of Scripture, 
and smaller selected portions that have an ap- 
propriateness in combination. Care has been 
taken, as far as practicable, n in verses 

were originally in the same connection. 

In some instances it may be desirable to 
omit, in reading, some of the messages in a par- 
ticular service, using only those which am 



SERVICES. 213 



Funeral service. 



most appropriate to the circumstances. It is 
deemed a useful feature in these selections that 
some of them are specific in their character, be- 
ing intended for the funerals of the young, of 
the aged, of ministers and other public men, 
and for cases of sudden death. 

Appended to these services are several brief 
forms suitable for use at the grave. 

FUNERAL SERVICE. I. 

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, 
and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a 
flower, and is cut down : he fleeth also as a 
shadow, and continueth not. And dost thou 
open thine eyes upon such an one, and bring- 
est me into judgment with thee? Who can 
bring a clean thing out of an unclean ? not one. 
Seeing his days are determined, the number of 
his months is with thee; thou hast appointed 
his bounds that he can not pass ; turn from 
him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, 
as an hireling, his day. 

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, 
that it will sprout again, and that the tender 
branch thereof will not cease. Though the root 
thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock 
thereof die in the ground, yet through the scent 



214 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Funeral service. 

of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like 
a plant. But man dieth, and wasteth away; 
yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he ? 

As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood 
decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down and 
riseth not : till the heavens be no more, they 
shall not awake, nor be raised out of their 
sleep. 

O that thou wouldst hide me in the grave, 
that thou wouldst keep me secret until thy 
wrath be past, that thou wouldst appoint me a 
set time, and remember me ! If a man die, 
shall he live again ? All the days of my ap- 
pointed time will I wait, till my change come. 

Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee : thou 
wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. 
For now thou numberest my steps ; dost thou 
not watch over my sin? My transgression is 
sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine 
iniquity. 

And surely the mountain falling cometh to 
naught, and the rock is removed out of his 
place. The waters wear the stones : thou wash- 
est away the things which grow out of the dust 
of the earth ; and thou destroyest the hope of 
man. Thou prevailest forever against him, and 
he passeth ; thou changest his countenance, and 



SERVICES. 215 



Funeral service. 



sendest him away. His sons come to honor, 
and he knoweth it not ; and they are brought 
low, but he perceiveth it not of them. 

And I heard a voice from heaven, saying 
unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die 
in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the 
Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; 
and their works do follow them. 

FUNERAL SERVICE. II. 

Now is Christ risen from the dead, and be- 
come the first-fruits of them that slept. For 
since by man came death, by man came also the 
resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all 
die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 
But every man in his own order : Christ the 
First-fruits ; afterward they that are Christ's at 
his coming. Then cometh the end, when he 
shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, 
even the Father ; when he shall have put down 
all rule, and all authority, and power. For he 
must reign, till he hath put all enemies under 
his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroy- 
ed is death. For he hath put all things under 
his feet. But when he saith, all things are put 
under him, it is manifest that he is excepted 
which did put all things under him. And 



216 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Funeral service. 

when all things shall be subdued unto him, 
then shall the Son also himself be subject unto 
him that put all things under him, that God 
may be all in all. Else what shall they do 
which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise 
not at all ? why are they then baptized for the 
dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every 
hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I 
have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, 
after the manner of men, I have fought with 
beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me if 
the dead rise not ? let us eat and drink, for to- 
morrow we die. Be not deceived : evil com- 
munications corrupt good manners. Awake to 
righteousness, and sin not ; for some have not 
the knowledge of God : I speak this to your 
shame. 

But some man will say, How are the dead 
raised up ? and with what body do they come ? 
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quick- 
ened except it die ; and that which thou sow- 
est, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but 
bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some 
other grain; but God giveth it a body as it 
hath pleased him, and to every seed his own 
body. All flesh is not the same flesh ; but there 
is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of 



SERVICES. 217 



Funeral service. 



beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies ter- 
restrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and 
the glory of the terrestrial is another. There 
is one glory of the sun, and another glory of 
the moon, and another glory of the stars ; for 
one star differeth from another star in glory. So 
also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown 
in corruption ; it is raised in incorruption : it is 
sown in dishonor ; it is raised in glory : it is 
sown in weakness ; it is raised in power : it is 
sown a natural body ; it is raised a spiritual 
body. There is a natural body, and there is a 
spiritual body. And so it is written, The first 
man Adam was made a living soul, the last 
Adam was made a quickening spirit. How- 
beit, that was not first which is spiritual, but 
that which is natural, and afterward that which 
is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, 
earthy ; the second man is the Lord from heav- 
en. As is the earthy, such are they also that 
are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are 
they also that are heavenly. And as we have 
borne the image of the earthy, we shall also 
bear the image of the heavenly. 

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood 
can not inherit the kingdom of God ; neither 



218 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Funeral service. 

doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, 
I show you a mystery ; we shall not all sleep, 
but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in 
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump ; for 
the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be 
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, 
and this mortal must put on immortality. So, 
when this corruptible shall have put on incor- 
ruption, and this mortal shall have put on im- 
mortality, then shall be brought to pass the say- 
ing that is written, Death is swallowed up in 
victory. death, where is thy sting ? O grave, 
where is thy victory ? The sting of death is 
sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But 
thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead- 
fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work 
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your 
labor is not in vain in the Lord. 

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth ; 
for the first heaven and the first earth were 
passed away, and there was no more sea. And 
I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, com- 
ing down from God out of heaven, prepared as 
a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard 



SERVICES. 219 



Funeral service. Sudden death. 

a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold the 
tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell 
with them, and they shall be his people, and 
God himself shall be with them, and be their 
God. And God shall wipe away all tears from 
their eyes ; and there shall be no more death, 
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there 
be any more pain; for the former things are 
passed away. 

FUNERAL SERVICE. III. 
SUDDEN DEATH. 

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the 
Lord pitieth them that fear him ; for he know- 
eth our frame ; he remembereth that we are 
dust. As for man, his days are as grass ; as a 
flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the 
wind passeth over it and it is gone, and the 
place thereof shall know it no more. We all 
do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the 
wind, have taken us away. What is your life ? 
It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little 
time and then vanisheth away. He weakened 
my strength in the way, he shortened my days. 
Man knoweth not his time. As the fishes that 
are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that 
are caught in the snare, so are the sons of men 



220 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Funeral service. Sudden death. 

snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly 
upon them. There is but a step between me 
and death. O my God, take me not away in 
the midst of my days. 

No man hath power over the spirit to retain 
the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of 
death ; and there is no discharge in that war, 
neither shall wickedness deliver those that are 
given to it. They that trust in their wealth, 
and boast themselves in the multitude of their 
riches — none of them can, by any means, re- 
deem his brother, nor give to Grod a ransom for 
him, that he should still live forever, and not 
see corruption. For wise men die, likewise the 
fool and the brutish person perish, and leave 
their wealth to others. They are exalted for 
a little while, but are gone and brought low ; 
they are taken out of the way as all other, and 
cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. 

We must all appear before the judgment-seat 
of Christ, that every one may receive the things 
done in his body, according to that he hath 
done, whether it be good or bad. 

Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming 
in the which all that are in the graves shall 
hear his voice, and shall come forth ; they that 
have done good unto the resurrection of life. 



SERVICES. 221 



Funeral service. Sudden death. 

and they that have done evil unto the resur- 
rection of damnation. 

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be liken- 
ed unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, 
and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And 
five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 
They that were foolish took their lamps, and 
took no oil with them ; but the wise took oil 
in their vessels with their lamps. "While the 
bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and 
slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, 
Behold, the bridegroom cometh ; go ye out to 
meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and 
trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said 
unto the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps 
are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, 
Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you ; 
but go ye rather to them .that sell, and buy for 
yourselves. And while they went to buy, the 
bridegroom came; and they that were ready 
went in with him to the marriage, and the door 
was shut. Afterward came also the other vir- 
gins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he 
answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, I 
know you not. Watch, therefore, for ye know 
neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son 
of man cometh. 



222 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Funeral service. For an infant. 

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ; 
yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from 
their labors, and their works do follow them. 
The righteous hath hope in his death. Let me 
die the death of the righteous, and let my last 
end be like his. Precious in the sight of the 
Lord is the death of his saints. The day of 
their death is better than that of their birth. 
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with 
thy might; for there is no work, nor device, 
nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whith- 
er thou goest. Behold, now is the accepted 
time ; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

FUNERAL SERVICE. IV. 

FOR AN INFANT. 

Man is like to vanity ; his days are as a 
shadow that passeth away. Although afflic- 
tion cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth 
trouble spring out of the ground, yet man is 
born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward. A 
voice was heard in Bamah, lamentation, and 
bitter weeping ; Bachel, weeping for her chil- 
dren, refused to be comforted for her children, 
because they were not. 

And when the child was grown, it fell, on a 
day, that he went out to his father to the reap- 



SERVICES. 223 



Funeral service. For an infant. 

ers. And he said unto his father, My head, my 
head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his 
mother. And when he had taken him, and 
brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees 
till noon, and then died. And she went up, 
and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and 
shut the door upon him, and went out. And 
she called unto her husband, and said, Send 
me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one 
of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, 
and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt 
thou go to him to-day ? it is neither new moon 
nor Sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. 
Then she saddled an ass, and said to her serv- 
ant, Drive, and go forward ; slack not thy rid- 
ing for me except I bid thee. So she went, 
and came unto the man of God to Mount Car- 
mel. And it came to pass, when the man of 
God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi 
his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunamite. 
Eun now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto 
her, Is it well with thee ? is it well with thy 
husband ? is it well with the child ? And she 
answered, It is well. 

David, therefore, besought God for the child ; 
and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night 
upon the earth. And the elders of his house 



224 THE PKESBYTERIAX*S HAXD-BOOK. 
Funeral service. For an infant. 

arose, and went to him to raise him up from 
the earth ; but he would not, neither did he eat 
bread with them. And it came to pass on the 
seventh day that the child died. And the serv- 
ants of David feared to tell him that the child 
was dead ; for they said, Behold, while the child 
was yet alive we spake unto him, and he would 
not hearken unto our voice ; how will he then 
vex himself if we tell him that the child is dead? 
But when David saw that his servants whisper- 
ed, David perceived that the child was dead ; 
therefore David said unto his servants, Is the 
child dead ? And they said, He is dead. Then 
David arose from the earth, and washed and 
anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and 
came into the house of the Lord and worship- 
ed ; then he came to his own house ; and when 
he required, they set bread before him, and he 
did eat. Then said his servants unto him, 
What thing is this that thou hast done ? thou 
didst fast and weep for the child while it was 
alive, but when the child was dead thou didst 
rise and eat bread. And he said, While the 
child was yet alive I fasted and wept ; for I 
said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious 
to me that the child may live? But now he 
is dead, wherefore should I fast ? Can I bring 



SERVICES. 225 



Funeral service. For a young person. 

him back again? I shall go to him, but he 
shall not return to me. 

And they brought young children to him, 
that he should touch them ; and his disciples 
rebuked those that brought them. But when 
Jesus saw it he was much displeased, and said 
unto them, Suffer the little children to come 
unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the 
kingdom of God. Verily, I say unto you, Who- 
soever shall not receive the kingdom of God as 
a little child, he shall not enter therein. 

It is not the will of your Father which is in 
heaven that one of these little ones should 
perish, 

FUNERAL SERVICE. V. 
FOR A YOUNG PERSON. 

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see 
death ? shall he deliver his soul from the hand 
of the grave ? One dieth in his full strength, 
being wholly at ease and quiet ; his breasts are 
full of milk, and his bones are moistened with 
marrow. Another dieth in the bitterness of 
his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They 
shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms 
shall cover them. 

And it came to pass * * * that he went into 
P 



226 THE PRESBYTERIANS HAND-BOOK. 
Funeral service. For a young person. 

a city called Nain ; and many of his disciples 
went with hira, and much people. Now, when 
he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, 
there was a dead man carried out, the only son 
of his mother, and she was a widow ; and much 
people of the city was with her. And when 
the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, 
and said unto her, Weep not. And he came 
and touched the bier ; and they that bare him 
stood still. And he said, Young man, I say 
unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat 
up, and began to speak. And he delivered him 
to his mother. 

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, 
of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister 
Martha. * * * * * Hie [Jesus] saith unto them, 
Our friend Lazarus sleepeth : but I go that I 
may awake him out of sleep. Then said his 
disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death ; but they 
thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in 
sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Laz- 
arus is dead. And I am glad, for your sakes, 
that I was not there, to the intent ye may be- 
lieve ; nevertheless, let us go unto him. Then 
said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his 
fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die 



SEKVICES. 227 



Funeral service. For a young person. 

with him. Then when Jesus came, he found 
that he had lain in the grave four days already 
(now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about 
fifteen furlongs off) ; and many of the Jews 
came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them 
concerning their brother. Then Martha, as 
soon as she heard that Jesus- was coming, went 
and met him ; but Mary sat still in the house. 
Then said Martha "unto Jesus, Lord, if thou 
hadst been here, my brother had not died. But 
I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt 
ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith 
unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha 
saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again 
in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said 
unto her, I am the resurrection and the life ; he 
that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet 
shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and believ- 
eth in me shall never die. Believest thou this ? 
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; I believe that 
thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which 
should come into the world. And when she 
had so said, she went her way, and called Mary 
her sister, secretly, saying, The Master is come, 
and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard 
that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 
Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, 



228 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Funeral service. For a young person. 

but was in that place where Martha met him. 
The Jews, then, which were with her in the 
house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, 
that she rose up hastily and went out, followed 
her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep 
there. Then when Mary was come where Je- 
sus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, 
saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, 
my brother had not died. "When Jesus there- 
fore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weep- 
ing which came with her, he groaned in the 
spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have 
ye laid him ? They say unto him, Lord, come 
and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, 
Behold how he loved him ! And some of them 
said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes 
of the blind, have caused that even this man 
should not have died? Jesus therefore again 
groaning in himself, cometh to the grave. It 
was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, 
Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of 
him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by 
this time he stinketh ; for he hath been dead 
four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto 
thee that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst 
see the glory of God ? Then they took away 
the stone from the place where the dead was 



SERVICES. 229 



Funeral service. For a young person. 



laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, 
Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 
And I knew that thou hearest me always ; but 
because of the people which stand by I said it, 
that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a 
loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that 
was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with 
grave-clothes ; and his face was bound about 
with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose 
him, and let him go. 

And behold, Cushi came ; and Cushi said, 
Tidings, my lord the king ; for the Lord hath 
avenged thee this day of all them that rose up 
against thee. And the king said unto Cushi, 
Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi 
answered, The enemies of my lord the king, 
and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, 
be as that young man is. And the king was 
much moved, and went up to the chamber over 
the gate, and wept; and as he went, thus he 
said, O my son Absalom ! my son, my son Ab- 
salom ! would Grod I had died for thee, O Ab- 
salom, my son, my son ! 

Eemember now thy Creator in the days of 
thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor 
the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I 



230 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 
Funeral service. For a young person. 

have no pleasure in them ; while the sun, or the 
light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darken- 
ed, nor the clouds return after the rain : in the 
day when the keepers of the house shall trem- 
ble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, 
and the grinders cease because they are few, 
and those that look out of the windows be 
darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the 
streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, 
and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, 
and all the daughters of music shall be brought 
low ; also when they shall be afraid of that 
which is high, and fears shall be in the way, 
and the almond -tree shall flourish, and the 
grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall 
fail : because man goeth to his long home, and 
the mourners go about the streets : or ever the 
silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be 
broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fount- 
ain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then 
shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and 
the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the 
first resurrection : on such, the second death 
hath no power, but they shall be priests of God 
and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thou- 
sand years. 



SERVICES. 231 



Funeral service. For an aged person. 

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose 
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus 
will God bring with him, 

For we know that if our earthly house of 
this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a build- 
ing of God, a house not made with hands, eter- 
nal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earn- 
estly desiring to be clothed upon with our 
house which is from heaven, if so be that be- 
ing clothed we shall not be found naked. For 
we that are in this tabernacle do groan being 
burdened, not for that we would be unclothed, 
but clothed upon, that mortality might be swal- 
lowed up of life. 

s The hour is coming, in the which all that are 
in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall 
come forth ; they that have done good unto 
the resurrection of life, and they that have done 
evil unto the resurrection of damnation. 

Oh that they were wise, that they understood 
this, that they would consider their latter end ! 

FUNERAL SERVICE. VI. 

FOR AN AGED PERSON. 

Man that is born of a woman is of few days 
and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flow- 
er, and is cut down ; he fleeth also as a shadow, 



232 THE peesbytekian's hand-book. 



Funeral service. For an aged person. 

and continuetli not. We are but of yesterday, 
and know nothing, because our days upon earth 
are a shadow. 

And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of 
the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and 
thirty years ; few and evil have the days of the 
years of my life been. 

Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand- 
breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee. 
The days of our years are threescore years and 
ten ; and if, by reason of strength, they be four- 
score years, yet is their strength labor and sor- 
row, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 
We are strangers before thee and sojourners, 
as were all our fathers. Our days on the earth 
are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 
My days are swifter than a post. They are 
passed away as the swift ships ; as the eagle 
that hasteth to the prey. 

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be 
found in the way of righteousness. The right- 
eous shall flourish like the palm-tree ; he shall 
grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be 
planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish 
in the courts of our God. They shall still bring 
forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and 
flourishing, to show that the Lord is upright. 



SERVICES. 233 



Funeral service. For an aged person. 

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness 
in him. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a 
full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his 
season. 

And these are the days of Abraham's life 
which he lived, a hundred threescore and fif- 
teen years. Then Abraham gave up the ghost, 
and died in a good old age, an old man, and 
full of years, and was gathered to his people. 

Cast me not off in the time of old age ; for- 
sake me not when my strength faileth. My 
mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and 
thy salvation all the day, for I know not the 
numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of 
the Lord God ; I will make mention of thy 
righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou 
hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto 
have I declared thy wondrous works. Now, 
also, when I am old and gray -headed, O God, 
forsake me not, until I have showed thy strength 
unto this generation, and thy power to every 
one that is to come. Thy righteousness also, O 
God, is very high, who hast done great things ; 
O God, who is like unto thee ? Thou, which 
hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt 
quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again 
from the depths of the earth. 



234 the pkesbyterian's hand-book. 

Funeral service. For an aged person. 

And David died in a good old age, full of 
days, riches, and honor. 

I know that thou wilt bring me to death, 
and to the house appointed for all living. 

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. 
He that believeth in me, though he were dead, 
yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and be- 
lieveth in me shall never die. I know that my 
Eedeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the 
latter day upon the earth ; and though after 
my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my 
flesh shall I see God ; whom I shall see for my- 
self, and mine eyes shall behold, and not an- 
other. My flesh also shall rest in hope ; for 
thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt 
thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 
Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy 
presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand 
there are pleasures for evermore. 

I would not have you to be ignorant, breth- 
ren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye 
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope ; 
for if we believe that Jesus died and rose 
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus 
will Grod bring with him. For this we say unto 
you by the word of the Lord, that we which 
are alive and remain unto the coming of the 



SERVICES. 235 



Funeral service. For an aged person. 

Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 
For the Lord himself shall descend from heav- 
en with a shout, with the voice of the archan- 
gel, and with the trump of God ; and the dead 
in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are 
alive and remain shall be caught up together 
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in 
the air ; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 
Wherefore, comfort one another with these 
words. 

Who shall separate us from the love of 
Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or perse- 
cution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or 
sword ? Nay, in all these things we are more 
than conquerors, through him that loved us. 
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, 
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor 
things present, nor things to come, nor height, 
nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able 
to separate us from the love of God which is in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Father, I will that they also whom thou hast 
given me be with me where I am, that they may 
behold my glory. 

Let not your heart be troubled : ye believe 
in God, believe also in me. In my Father's 
house are many mansions ; if it were not so, I 



236 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Funeral service. For a public man. 

would have told you: I go to prepare a place 
for you. And if I go and prepare a place for 
you, I will come again, and receive you unto 
myself, that where I am there ye may be also. 

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto 
me, Write, blessed are the dead which die in 
the Lord from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, 
that they may rest from their labors, and their 
works do follow them. 

There the wicked cease from troubling, and 
there the weary are at rest. The Lamb that is 
in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and 
shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. 

FUNERAL SERVICE. VII. 

FOR A PUBLIC MAN. 

Know ye not that there is a prince and a 
great man fallen this day in Israel ? Cease ye 
from man, whose breath is in his nostrils ; for 
wherein is he to be accounted of? He cometh 
forth like a flower, and is cut down ; he fleeth 
also as a shadow, and continueth not. And 
surely the mountain falling cometh to naught, 
and the rock is removed out of his place. The 
waters wear the stones : thou washest away the 
things which grow out of the dust of the earth, 
and thou destroyest the hope of man. Thou 



SERVICES. 237 

Funeral service. For a public man. 

prevailest forever against him, and he passeth ; 
thou changest his countenance and sendest him 
away. 

Behold the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take 
away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay 
and the staff, the whole stay of bread and the 
whole stay of water, the mighty man and the 
man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the 
prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty, 
and the honorable man, and the counselor, and 
the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. 
They are exalted for a little while, but are gone 
and brought low ; they are taken out of the 
way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the 
ears of corn. 

And Joseph went up to bury his father, and 
with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, 
the elders of his house, and all the elders of the 
land of Egypt, and all the house of Joseph, 
and his brethren, and his father's house : only 
their little ones, and their flocks and their 
herds, they left in the land of Goshen. And 
there went up with him both chariots and horse- 
men ; and it was a very great company. And 
they came to the threshing-floor of Atad, which 
is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with 
a great and very sore lamentation : and he made 
a mourning for his father seven days. 



238 the pbesbytebian's hand-book. 

Funeral service. For a public man. 

And David said to Joab, and to all the peo- 
ple that were with him, Eend your clothes, and 
gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Ab- 
ner. And King David himself followed the 
bier. And they buried Abner in Hebron : and 
the king lifted up his voice and wept at the 
grave of Abner ; and all the people wept. And 
the king lamented over Abner. 

And David lamented with this lamentation 
over Saul, and over Jonathan his son : The 
beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places : 
how are the mighty fallen ! Tell it not in 
Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon, 
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest 
the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 
Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, 
neither let there be rain upon you, nor fields 
of offerings ; for there the shield of the mighty 
is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though 
he had not been anointed with oil. From the 
blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, 
the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the 
sword of Saul returned not empty. Saul and 
Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their 
lives, and in their death they were not divided : 
they were swifter than eagles ; they were stron- 
ger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep 



SERVICES. 239 



Funeral service. For a public man. 

over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with oth- 
er delights ; who put on ornaments of gold 
upon your apparel. How are the mighty fall- 
en in the midst of the battle ! Jonathan, 
thou wast slain in thy high places. I am dis- 
tressed for thee, my brother Jonathan : very 
pleasant hast thou been unto me : thy love to 
me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 
How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons 
of war perished ! 

And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for 
Josiah. And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah ; 
and all the singing men and the singing women 
spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this 
day, and made them an ordinance in Israel. 

God accepteth not the persons of princes, nor 
regardeth the rich more than the poor ; for they 
all are the work of his hands. In a moment 
shall they die, and the people shall be troubled 
at midnight, and pass away ; and the mighty 
shall be taken away without hand. And I saw 
the dead, small and great, stand before God ; 
and the books were opened ; and another book 
was opened, which is the book of life ; and the 
dead were judged out of those things which 
were written in the books, according to their 
works. He that is unjust, let him be unjust 



240 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Funeral service. For a public man. 

still ; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy 
still ; and he that is righteous, let him be right- 
eous still ; and he that is holy, let him be holy 
still And behold, I come quickly, and my re- 
~:.:;1 is vrith me. to give every man according 
as his work shall be. 

Xow upon the first day of the week, very 
early in the morning, they came unto the sep- 
ulchre, bringing the spices which they had pre- 
pared, and certain others with them. And they 
found the stone rolled away from the sepul- 
chre. And they entered in. and found not the 
body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pasBj 
as they were much perplexed thereabout, be- 
hold, two men stood by them in shining gar- 
ments. And as they were afraid, and bowed 
down their faces to the earth, they said unto 
them. "Why seek ye the living among the dead? 
He is not here, but is rise::. 

Now is Christ risen from the dead, and be- 
come the first-fruits of them that slept. For 
since by man came death, by man came also 
the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam 
all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 
But every man in his own order: Christ the 
first-fruits : afterward they that are Christ's at 
coming. 



SERVICES. 241 



Funeral service. For a public man. 

Behold, I show you a mystery ; we shall not 
all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a mo- 
ment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last 
trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the 
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall 
be changed. For this corruption must put on 
incorruption, and this mortal must put on im- 
mortality. So when this corruptible shall have 
put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have 
put on immortality, then shall be brought to 
pass the saying that is written, Death is swal- 
lowed up in victory. O death, where is thy 
sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The 
sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is 
the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth 
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead- 
fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work 
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your 
labor is not in vain in the Lord. 

Q 



242 the Presbyterian's hand-book. 

Concluding services at the grave. 



CONCLUDING SERVICES AT THE GRAVE. 
I. 

WMe we commit these remains to the tomb, 
we would not have you ignorant concerning 
them that are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even 
as others who have no hope. For if we believe 
that Jesus died and rose again, even so them 
also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with 
him. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the 
love of God, and the communion of the Holy 
Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 

n. 

Our blessed Saviour, who is himself the res- 
urrection and the life, has assured us that this 
body which we now commit to the ground, 
dust to dust, and ashes to ashes, shall be raised 
in a perfect form, and united to the spirit which 
has gone to God. 

" The grace," etc. 

in. 

Our help is in the name of the Lord who 
made heaven and earth. As we tremblingly 



SERVICES. 243 



Concluding services at the grave. 



commit these remains to their kindred dust, let 
our hopes repose in him who doeth all things 
well, that with the comforts of his grace he may- 
grant us also a preparation to meet death, in 
the expectation of a joyful immortality. 
"The grace," etc. 

IV. 

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. 
He that believeth in me, though he were dead, 
yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and be- 
lieveth in me shall never die. 

Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb ! 

Take this new treasure to thy trust ; 
And give these sacred relics room 

To seek a slumber in the dust. 
Nor pain, nor grief, nor anxious fear 

Invade thy bounds ; no mortal woes 
Can reach the peaceful sleeper here, 

While angels watch the soft repose. 
So Jesus slept ; God's dying Son 

Pass'd through the grave and bless'd the bed ! 
Kest here, bless'd saint ! till from his throne 

The morning break and pierce the shade. 

"The grace," etc. 

v. 

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken 
away ; blessed be the name of the Lord. 



244 THE PRESBYTERIAN'S HAND-BOOK. 

Concluding services at the grave. 

So fades the lovely blooming flower, 
Frail smiling solace of an hour ! 
So soon our transient comforts fly, 
And pleasure only blooms to die. 

Is there no kind, no lenient art 
To heal the anguish of the heart ? 
Spirit of grace, be ever nigh ; 
Thy comforts are not made to die. 

Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come 
unto me, and forbid them not, for of such, is 
the kingdom of God. 

" The grace," etc. 






INDEX. 



Absent members, page 126. 

Admission of members to the Church, 196. 

Amount of study, 139. 

Anniversaries, 44. 

Apostolical succession, 11. 

Appeal, 15. 

Apportionment of benevolent gifts, 50. 

Assembly's fund, 126. 

Attendance on means of grace, 37. 

Attention to Church order, 39. 

Authority of parents, 54. 

Baptism, 183. 
Baptismal service, 185. 
Benevolent contributions, 47. 
Bible-class, the pastor's, 148. 
Bishops (see also "pastors"), 135. 
Blessings at the table, 114. 
Books to be studied, 142. 

" for parents, 53. 

" for pastors, 157. 

" " list of, 158. 

" of record, 128. 
Building of sanctuaries, 30. 
Business of session, 121. 

Calvinistic doctrines, 23. 
Card of beneficence, 51. 
Catechising by the pastor, 146. 
Catechism, initiatory, 57. 

" shorter, 72. 

" of chronology, 96. 
Catholicity of the Presbyterian Church, 17. 
Children, restraint of, 54. 

* ' religious duties of, 55. 



246 index. 

Children, guarded, 55. 

" gratification of, 55. 
11 to be prayed for, 55. 
" system of instruction for, 56. 
" prayers for the use of, 100. 
Chronology, Biblical, 96. 
Church, 9. 

" definition of, 10. 
" session (see "session"). 
" courts, 14. 
11 organization of a, 33. 
" members, duties of, 36. 
" order, 39. 
" register, 126, 129. 
Church-erection fund, 32. 
Churches, planting of, 27. 
Collections, periodical, 46. 

" committees on, 46. 
Commandments, the ten, 71. 
Complaint, 15. 
Composition of sermons, 139. 

" liturgical, 168. 

Congregational libraries (see " libraries"). 
Congregations, gathering of, 27. 

" support of, 36. 

Contributions, benevolent, 47. 
Courts of the Church, 14. 

Daily duties of members, 37. 
Deacons, election of, 34. 

" ordination of, 35. 

" duties of, 115. 
Decalogue, 71. 
Delegates, election of, 125. 

" expenses of, 125, 151. 
Delivery of sermons, 143. 
Departments in Sunday-schools, 42. 
Division of labor, 40. 
Doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, 23. 

" effect of, 25. 
Duties of Church members, 36. 
" of parents, 52. 

Ecclesiastical meetings, attendance on, 150. 



INDEX. 247 



Education of the ministry, 22. 
Elders, warrant for, 13. 

" election of, 34, 117. 

c< ordination of, 35. 

" office of, 117. 

" number of, 117. 

" qualifications of, 119. 

" relation of, to pastor, 120. 

" duties of, 120. 

" visitation by, 120. 
Expenses of delegates, 125, 151. 
Expository preaching, 141. 
Extemporaneous preaching, 141. 

Facilitation of sessional business, 121. 
Family prayers, 101. 
Form for book of minutes, 128. 
" for Church register, 129. 
" of address at baptism of infants, 185. 
" of publicly receiving members, 198. 
" for celebrating marriage, 206, 209. 
Funeral service, general, 212-215. 

" " for a sudden death, 219. 

" " for an infant, 222. 

" " for a young person, 225. 

" " for an aged person, 231. 

" " for a public man, 236. 

" " at the grave, 242. 

Gathering of congregations, 27. 

General Assembly, 15. 

Giving, duty of, 39, 47. 

Government of the Presbyterian Church, 11. 

Health of ministers, 151. 
History, sacred, 96. 

Infant baptism, 183. 
Initiatory Catechism, 57. 
Instruction of children, 37, 56. 
Interruption, freedom from, 144. 
Invocations, 169. 

Labor, division of, 40. 



248 INDEX. 

Letters of dismission, 126, 196. 
Liberality in giving, 39, 48. 
Libraries, congregational, 154. 

" " plan for, 155. 

" " advantages of, 156. 

Library of a pastor, books for, 157. 
Life assurance, 153. 
Liturgical composition, 168. 
Lord's Prayer, 70. 
Lord's Supper, 187. 

" " order of service at, 188. 

" " prayers to be used at, 190. 

Marriage ceremony, 206, 209. 
Means of grace, 37. 
Meetings for prayer, conduct of, 144. 
Members of the Church, duties of, 36. 

" " how admitted, 196. 

" " removal of, 196, 204. 

Ministry, 11, 115. 
Mission buildings, 45. 
Mission schools, 45. 
Missionary meetings, 44. 
Monthly concert, 47. 

Non-liturgical character of worship, 20. 

Order of sessional business, 124. 

" public service, 169. 

" service at the Lord's Supper, 188. 
Ordination, significance of, 12. 

" of elders and deacons, 35. 

Organization of churches, 33. 

Parents, duties of, 52. 

" authority of, 54. 
Parity of the clergy, 11. 
Pastoral visitation, 148. 
Pastors, office of, 135. 

" duties of, 136. 
Pecuniary support of congregation, 36. 
Periods of sacred history, 97. 
Planting of churches, 27. 
Prayer after sermon, 177. 



INDEX. '110 



Prayer for a day of fasting, 179. 
" meetings, 144. 
" power of, 38. 
Prayers for children's use, 100. 
" for family worship, 101. 
11 before sermon, 172. 
' c at the communion, 190. 
Praying for church officers, 37. 
Preaching, 137. 
Preparation of sermons, 138. 
Presbyterian Church, why preferred, 11. 
" " its government, 11. 

" " its catholicity, 17. 

" " its worship, 19. 

" "its teaching, 21. 

Presbytery, the, 15. 
Profession of faith, 197. 
Public reception of members, formula for, 198. 
Public worship on the Lord's day, 167. 

Heading, course of general, 144. 
Record books, 128. 
Records, rules for keeping, 122. 
Register of the Church, 126, 129. 
Removal of members, 196, 204:. 
Routine duties of pastors, 150. 
Rules of session, 124. 
Ruling elders (see " elders"). 

Sacraments, the, 183. 
Sacred history, 96. 
Sanctuaries, building of, 30. 
Session, office of the, 14, 118. 

" business of, 121. 

" records of, 122. 

" rules of order for, 124. 

" order of business of, 124. 

" officers of, 125. 

" delegates from, 125. 

" various duties of, 126. 

" expenses of, 127. 
Shorter Catechism, 72. 
Simplicity of Presbyterian worship, 19. 
Statistical reports, 127. 



250 INDEX. 

Study, proportion of, 139. 
Sunday-schools, 41. 

" " visitation of, 149. 

Synod, the, 15. 
Systematic giving, 49. 
System of instruction for children, 56. 

Teachers for Sunday-schools, 41. 
Teaching of the Presbyterian Church, 21. 
Teaching the young, 37, 56. 
Ten Commandments, 71. 
Themes for sermons, choice of, 139. 
Training of children, 54. 
Transfer of Church relations, 204. 
Trials, 15, 17. 

Unexclusiveness of the Presbyterian Church, 17. 
Unity of the Church of Christ, 19. 

Visitation, 120, 148. 

" of Sunday-schools, 149. 
Voters, 34. 

Winning souls, 37. 
Worship, characteristics of, 19. 
" on the Lord's day, 167. 

Young, teaching of the, 37, 56. 



THE END. 



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lustrated with Engravings. 

T'n-r, . . i . . $1 06 



ABBOTT'S JUVENILE SERIES. 3 

The Franconia Stories. 

In Ten volumes 16mo. Each volume is a distinct and independent 
work, having no necessary connection of incidents with those that pre- 
cede or follow it, while yet the characters, and the scenes in which the 
stories are laid, are the same in all. They present pleasing pictures of 
happy domestic life, and are intended not only to amuse and entertain 
the children who shall peruse them, hut to furnish them with attract- 
ive lessons of moral and intellectual instruction, and to train their 
hearts to habits of ready and cheerful subordination to duty and law. 

The following are the names of the several volumes : 

1. Mallevillb. 6. Stuyvesant. 

2. Maey Bell. 7. Agnes. 

3. Ellen Linn. 8. Maey Eeskine. 

4. Wallace. 9. Rodolphus. 

5. Beechnut. 10. Caroline. 

The volumes are illustrated with numerous beautiful engravings. 

Price of the set complete, including case $5 00 

Price of the volumes separately 50 



Young, Christian Series. 

Complete in Four 12mo volumes, richly illustrated with engravings, 
and beautifully bound. 

1. The Young Christian. 3. The Way to do Good. 

2. The Coeneb Stone. 4. Hoaryhead &. M'Donner, 

It is superfluous to speak of the rare merits of Mr. Abbott's writings 
on the subject of practical religion. Their extensive circulation, not 
only in our own country, but in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, 
Germany, Holland, India, and at various missionary stations through- 
out the globe, evinces the excellence of their plan, and the felicity with 
which it has been executed. In unfolding the different topics which he 
takes in hand, Mr. Abbott reasons clearly, concisely, and to the point ; 
but the severity of the argument is always relieved by a singular variety 
and beauty of illustration. It is this admirable combination of dis- 
cussion with incident that invests his writings with an almost equal 
charm for readers of every diversity of age and culture. 

Price of the set complete, bound in Muslin $4 00 

Price of the set complete, bound in Half Calf 7 40 

Each volume separately, Muslin 1 00 

Each volume separately, Half Calf 1 85 



4 ABBOTT'S JUVENILE SERIES. 

Illustrated Histories. 
By Jacob and John S. C. Abbott. 

A Series of volumes containing full accounts of the lives, characters, 
and exploits of the most distinguished Sovereigns, Potentates, and Rul- 
ers that have been renowned among mankind in the various ages of the 
world. The volumes are beautifully printed and richly illustrated, with 
illuminated title-pages and numerous maps and engravings. 

The following volumes are now ready : 

English Series. 
Alfbed the Gee at. Queen Elizabeth. 

William the Conqueeoe. Charles the Fiebt. 

rlchabd the flbbt. chaeles the second. 

Richard the Second. Mary Queen of Scots. 

Richard the Third. 

Ancient SeHes. 
Cyrus the Great. Hannibal. 

Darius the Great. Pyrrhus. 

Xebxeb. Julius Cjesab. 

Alexandee the Gbeat. Cleopatra. 

Romulus. Nero. 

General Series. 
Hernando Cortez. Madame Roland. 

Josephine. Henry the Foubth. 

Mabia Antoinette. King Philip. 

Petee the Geeat. Genghis Khan. 

Price per volume $ 60 

Price of the set (27 volumes) in case 16 20 

The Rainbow and Lucky Series. 

By Jacob Abbott. Beautifully Illustrated. 16mo, Muslin, 50 
cents per volume. Uniform with Abbott's Feanoonia Stobieb. 






Handie. The Three Pines. 

Rainbow's Journey. Selling Lucky. 



Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, 

Franklin Square, N. Y. 



I^ 3 Haepee & Bbothebs will send either of the above Works by 
Mail, postage paid (for any distance in the United States under 3000 
miles), on receipt of the Money. 



Miss Sedgwick's Works. 



Miss Sedgwick has marked individuality ; she writes with a higher 
aim than merely to amuse. Indeed, the rare endowments of her mind 
depend in an unusual degree upon the moral qualities with which they 
are united for their value. Animated by a cheerful philosophy, and 
anxious to pour its sunshine into every place where there is lurking 
care or suffering, she selects for illustration the scenes of every-day ex- 
perience, paints them with exact fidelity, and seeks to diffuse over the 
mind a delicious serenity, and in the heart kind feelings and sympa- 
thies, and wise ambition, and steady hope. Her style is colloquial, pic- 
turesque, and marked by a facile grace, which is evidently a gift of na- 
ture. Her characters are nicely drawn and delicately contrasted ; her 
delineation of manners decidedly the best that have appeared. — Prose 
Writers of America. 



M 



EMOIR OF JOSEPH CURTIS. A Model 
Man. By the Author of " Married or Sin- 
gle ?"" Means and Ends," "The Linwoods," 
"Hope Leslie," "Live and Let Live," &c, &c. 
i6mo, Muslin, 50 cents. 



ATARRIED OR SINGLE? By Miss Catha- 
rine M. Sedgwick, Author of " Hope Leslie," 
"The Linwoods," "Means and Ends," "Live 
and Let Live," &c, &c. 2 vols. i2mo, Mus- 
lin, $1 75. 



MISS SEDGWICK'S WORKS. 

IVE AND LET LIVE ; or, Domestic Service 
4 Illustrated. By Miss C. M. Sedgwick, i 8mo, 
Muslin, 45 cents. 



ATEANS AND ENDS; or, Self-training. By Miss 
C. M. Sedgwick. i8mo, Muslin, 45 cents. 



A LOVE TOKEN FOR CHILDREN. De- 
signed for Sunday-School Libraries. By Miss 
C. M. Sedgwick. i8mo, Muslin, 45 cents. 



rpHE POOR RICH MAN AND THE RICH 
A POOR MAN. By Miss C. M. Sedgwick. 
i8mo, Muslin, 45 cents. 



OTORIES FOR YOUNG PERSONS. By Miss 
C. M. Sedgwick. i8mo, Muslin, 45 cents. 



VT7ILTON HARVEY, AND OTHER TALES. 
By Miss C. M. Sedgwick. v8mo, Muslin, 
4S cents. 



